The Department of Public Works (DPWH) warned all candidates in the May 10 polls to strictly refrain from posting their election materials along bridges and major city roads.

“They better place their posters on common posting areas designated by the Commission on Elections because our personnel will keep on removing them no matter what they do,” said Undersecretary Romeo Momo, for Luzon operations.

He also appealed to follow all the laws in  posting of campaign poaraphernalias.

The warning was issued after campaign posters have been  placed many times on government infrastructure projects like bridges, buildings and major roads despite its being placing out by the DPWH personnel.

“Several posters illegally posted around Metro Manila have already been removed because they became an eyesore to motorists looking at the traffic lights, directional, and warning while driving. These illegal posters might also cause vehicular accidents as they might block the view of motorists from seeing road warning notices.,” said Momo.

The department dismantled posters nationwide after Comelec  formally deputized the agency to remove, confiscate, and destroy prohibited propaganda materials relative to the May 10 polls in a resolution.

Under Republic Act 9006, Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act 9006 or the “Fair Election Practices Act” candidates are only allowed to post campaign posters, billboards, tarpaulins in common posters areas identified by the poll body. It prohibits the posting of campaign materials in public places outside of the designated common poster areas such as streets, bridges, public structures or buildings, trees, electric posts or wires, schools, shrines, main thoroughfares and the like.

- Jenny Villareal