Some political parties have petitioned the Commission on Elections (Comelec) asking it to allow selfies during campaign rallies, which started on February 8, Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Thursday.
Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Malaya said the department, which is monitoring the implementation of health protocols in campaign rallies, was waiting for the decision of the Comelec on the matter.
Under Section 14 of Comelec Resolution 10371, among the prohibited activities during in-person campaigns is taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public.
Any election offense will be punishable under Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code, which enforces imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years to violators.
The guilty party will be disqualified to hold public office and will be deprived of voting rights.
Any political party found guilty of an election offense will pay not less than P10,000 after criminal action has been instituted in which their officials have been found guilty.
This emerged as Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu urged candidates to be environmentally conscious when campaigning.
“I call on all candidates to please be conscious of the environment when posting and disposing campaign-related materials during this period. Please refrain from posting these materials on trees,” Cimatu said.
He reminded the candidates to properly segregate their campaign materials and dispose of them properly while keeping in mind that there are laws related to the prohibition of posting materials on trees, shrubs, and other plants.
Cimatu cited Section 9 of Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act of 2001 states that posting campaign materials “may only be allowed in common poster areas in public places such as plazas, markets, barangay centers, and the like.”
“This law is complemented by Section 21(B) of the Commission on Election (Comelec) Resolution No. 10730 dated November 17, 2021, which states that ‘in no instance shall an election officer designate as common poster areas any trees, plants, shrubs in any public grounds,’” he noted.
Violators of the law will be penalized according to RA 3571 dated June 21, 1963, which was emphasized and expanded through Presidential Decree No. 903 dated July 6, 1976.
Section 3 of RA 3571 particularly states that “any person who cuts, destroys, damages, or injures, naturally growing or planted trees of any kind shall be punished with a penalty ranging from six months to two years imprisonment and a fine up to P5,000.”
Cimatu said the DENR would ensure the implementation of the Joint Memorandum Circular 2013-01 signed by the DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government and Commission on Elections in 2013.
“I have already ordered field officers of the DENR to coordinate with their counterparts in local DILG and Comelec offices to implement the JMC,” he said.
The JMC, which enjoins political parties, partylist groups, and individual candidates to enforce relevant provisions of RA 9006 and RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was signed by then DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, and retired Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes for the “Basura-Free Elections.”
“Implementing this circular will reduce the volume of waste during the election and post-election periods as it encourages the use of recyclable, reusable, and environment-friendly materials,” Cimatu said.
“It will also protect the trees and plants as the circular prohibits posting on trees, flowering plants, and shrubs,” he added.
Under the circular, campaign materials will only be allowed in common poster areas to avoid eyesores and minimize waste generation, and avoid the use of materials that contain hazardous chemicals and substances for the campaign and election propaganda.
All political parties, partylists, and candidates must designate and submit the name/names of their environmental point person/s by province to the Comelec to ensure compliance to the JMC.
They would also be responsible for coordinating the recycling and proper disposal of generated wastes.