The Comelec chairman George Garcia along with the Manila government remove illegally placed campaign materials along Oraquieta cor. Recto Avenue on October 20, 2023. photo

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be sending notice of removal to 34 party-list groups found to have violated guidelines on proper posting of campaign paraphernalia.

Comelec chairman George Garcia said most of the violations are on the size of the campaign posters and the use of materials that are not environment friendly.

“We are going to issue today, everyday po kami nag-i-issue ng notice to remove, that they will have to remove in three days. Otherwise, we’ll be filing disqualification cases against them,” Garcia explained.

Commissioner Noli Pipo explained Comelec cannot just remove political billboards on private properties because of an existing Supreme Court ruling.

“The Comelec cannot prevent private individuals from expressing their support to candidates,” Pipo said.

Garcia said, it is still investigating allegations of vote-buying involving a particular party-list group.

He said the commission only has photos as potential evidence.

“Wala pong nagsabi na kami nakatanggap niyan o kami na-offeran. Walang additional evidence, sana may dagdag man lang na nagsabing ako’y na-offeran niyan para makapag-initiate kami ng disqualification case laban dun sa party-list,” Garcia explained.