DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Pangasinan has reiterated its call for national candidates and local aspirants to remove prohibited campaign materials, as the campaign period for national positions began on Feb. 11.
Lawyer Ericson Oganiza, provincial election supervisor of Comelec Pangasinan, emphasized that campaign posters, banners, and other election-related materials must comply with the rules set forth by relevant election laws, including the Omnibus Election Code and Republic Act No. 9006 and the Fair Election Act.
The campaign period for candidates for senator and party-list groups began on Feb. 11, while the campaign period for members of the House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal officials will start on Mar. 28.
The campaigns will culminate on May 10, excluding April 17 (Maundy Thursday) and April 18 (Good Friday), during which election laws will still apply for these aspirants.
According to Comelec Resolution No. 11086, all prohibited forms of election propaganda shall be immediately removed, or caused to be removed, by said candidate or party at least 72 hours or three days before the start of campaign period.
“Since campaign materials that do not comply with election laws are prohibited during the campaign period, we encourage candidates to voluntarily remove them to avoid being issued a show cause order,” Oganiza said.
He also reminded candidates that campaign materials placed in unauthorized areas—such as public infrastructures, government buildings, trees, and outside designated common poster areas—should be removed to avoid violations of relevant laws and regulations.
During the campaign period, allowable campaign materials include pamphlets, leaflets, and stickers (max 8.5” x 14”); posters (max 2 ft x 3 ft); and streamers (max 3 ft x 8 ft) displayed at rallies within the permitted time frame.
Mobile ads on vehicles, paid media ads, private billboards, and transit ads are also allowed, subject to size restrictions and regulatory guidelines.
Lawyer Michael Franks Sarmiento, election officer of Dagupan City, clarified that candidates may post lawful election-related materials on private property with the owner’s consent.
“If campaign paraphernalia is owned by a private citizen, it may be posted regardless of size, as long as it is displayed on private property,” he said.
Sarmiento added that aspirants for local positions were briefed by the election body on the importance of complying with regulations to avoid committing election offenses.
He also warned that candidates who violate campaign material regulations may face penalties, including imprisonment for one to six years and perpetual disqualification from holding any public office. (CCMT/AMB/EMSA, PIA Pangasinan)
