ILOILO City – Before the official campaign period ended on May 10, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a directive to all candidates, party-list groups, and campaign teams across the country – remove all campaign materials no later than midnight of May 11 or risk facing disqualification and election offense charges.
Comelec’s May 9 advisory, titled “End of Campaign Period and Mandatory Removal of Campaign Materials,” emphasized that any form of electioneering beyond 11:59 p.m. of May 10 was strictly prohibited.
The poll body ordered the immediate removal of all propaganda materials — posters, streamers, billboards, tarpaulins, and similar items — from both public and private spaces, citing the Fair Elections Act and related resolutions.
“Candidates, party-list groups, and their respective campaign teams are directed to conduct full and immediate clean-up… to ensure compliance with election laws,” the Comelec warned, adding that failure to do so may lead to administrative and criminal sanctions.
Limpyo Elections to Roll Out in Iloilo Starting May 13
In support of Comelec’s directive and in line with its environmental initiatives, the Iloilo provincial government will commence a 10-day “Limpyo Elections” campaign on May 13, through the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO). The clean-up drive aims to retrieve campaign materials scattered across trees, public spaces, and roadways.
Three Civil Defense trucks will be deployed throughout the province to collect discarded election paraphernalia gathered by Operation Baklas teams.
According to PGENRO senior environmental management specialist Mitzi Peñaflorida, coordination has already been made with all 43 local government units.
“We hope more people will participate, especially because these materials were placed province-wide by candidates, leaders, and supporters,” she said.
Peñaflorida recalled that in the 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the province collected nearly 30 metric tons (29,771 kilograms) of campaign waste, which were later upcycled into eco-bags.
This year’s “Limpyo Elections” will again follow the circular economy framework promoted by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. under his 2022 executive order. All collected materials will undergo waste audits and be segregated. Those suitable for upcycling will be transformed into useful products such as eco-bags and wallets, while residuals will be sent to municipal disposal facilities or the Passi City Integrated Waste Management Facility.
Peñaflorida urged candidates and their supporters to take responsibility for removing their own materials.
“We’re just here to initiate and raise awareness. The rest of the clean-up should be carried out by the candidates and their teams,” she said.
Defensor is expected to issue a new executive order in the coming days to formalize this year’s “Limpyo Elections” campaign./PN
