by Joel E. Zurbano
The Commission on Elections has ordered presidential candidates Eduardo Villanueva and Senator Richard Gordon to dismantle their oversized billboards or face disqualification for violation of the fair election law.
The oversized billboard of Villanueva is located at the foot of the Quiapo Bridge in Manila, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said. It carries the message “Sakay na sa Bus ni Bro. Eddie,” he added.
The Bagumbayan tandem of Gordon and his running mate Bayani Fernando has oversized posters placed along EDSA and the northbound lane of the South Luzon Expressway, Jimenez said.
“A billboard is so way beyond the approved size that it boggles the imagination,” said Jimenez. “The clock is ticking. They should remove these billboards forthwith; otherwise, they risk facing sanctions for violating election law.”
Comelec lawyers have photo evidence to show that the billboards exceed the limit, he said.
An election-related offense carries a penalty of one to six years of imprisonment as well as the forfeiture of the candidate’s right to vote and be voted, Jimenez said.
The fair elections law says that campaign materials should not exceed 8 1/2 inches by 14 inches, and posters must not exceed an area 2 feet by 3 feet, Jimenez said.
The Comelec will provide a courtesy lane in polling precinct for senior citizens, pregnant and disabled persons in the May 10 polls.
“We’ll be providing courtesy lane for them so they don’t have to wait in line,” Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said.
In a resolution, the commission approved to “extend preferential treatment to senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities on election day by designating polling places located at the ground floor of the voting centers, or by providing them express lanes, if possible.”
Larrazabal said a circular on this express lane will be issued to all Comelec field offices and shall form part of the instructions of the Board of Election Inspectors.
The commission also directed all Election Officers to coordinate with their local school administrators, local government units, representatives of citizens’ arm and non-governmental organizations, to provide assistance in facilitating voting for these sectors.
The Comelec will also establish help desk in every polling center to be manned by members of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.
The poll body also tasked the PPCRV to do the following:
• Assist voters in locating their polling precinct;
• Educate voters on the voting process.
•Provide clear instruction on how to fill up the ballot.
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(Published in the Manila Standard Today newspaper on 2010/march/17.)
