THE government enjoins all candidates in the upcoming midterm polls to follow the regulations and be responsible for displaying election materials.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is tasked to remove all unlawful campaign posters and other materials related to the 2025 National and Local Elections.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia said the poll body will determine unlawful election materials, while the MMDA will assist in removing such items.
On Tuesday, the MMDA signed an agreement with the Comelec for the use of the agency’s Communications and Command Center (CCC), manpower, equipment, and resources for the elections.
Garcia signed the agreement with MMDA chairman Romando Artes.
“It is an important step towards ensuring that the electoral process is conducted smoothly and fairly,” Artes said.
Recall that the MMDA collected 100 truckloads of campaign posters and paraphernalia on the heels of two previous elections, with Manila, Paranaque, and Quezon City producing the most campaign materials.
Environmental groups had denounced candidates and their supporters for posting political billboards and other election campaign materials outside the designated areas in Metro Manila.
They reported election posters nailed or wired on trees, taped on electric posts and traffic signage, and displayed on bridges, constituting “prohibited forms of election propaganda”.
Under the accord, the MMDA command center will be used as a hub for Comelec’s coordinating activities.
Artes acknowledged the importance of ensuring the smooth and secure conduct of the elections, and vowed to assist the poll body in the effective implementation of the rules.
“We will give the Comelec access to CCC and Mobile Command Center to facilitate real-time monitoring. We will also provide our equipment such as deployable cameras and body-worn cameras, radios, and other communication devices to be deployed in critical areas for election-related monitoring and communication activities during the midterm elections next year,” Artes said.
“Also, aside from the deployment of our trained personnel for traffic assistance, MMDA will assign necessary manpower to assist election officers of the NCR and Comelec Main Office in carrying out the tear down and removal of unlawful election materials,” he added.
The MMDA will designate a representative to give logistical assistance at the Comelec Command Center, Final Testing and Sealing, International Observation, Mock Elections, and other related activities for the polls. Additionally, MMDA officers will provide storage for confiscated materials if necessary.
“Every election, we have always been collaborating with MMDA. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Chairman Artes for allowing us to use the agency’s resources for operations here in Metro Manila so that we can effectively ensure transparency throughout the election period,” said Garcia.
The Comelec will designate a computer station at the Command Center, guaranteeing the proper use of facilities and coordinating technical assistance, equipment, transportation, and storage devices at docking stations.
