Comelec: No Tampering Found in Makabayan Poster Issue

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Team Uswag slate of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas did not tamper with the campaign posters of the Makabayan coalition, according to the Commission on Elections.

Jonathan Sayno, Assistant Officer II of Comelec-Iloilo City, told Daily Guardian that the designated poster area in question actually belongs to Team Uswag.

“We cannot call it tampering based on the allegations of the Makabayan bloc,” Sayno said on Wednesday, April 9.

He explained that the area where Makabayan Panay’s posters—including those of Bayan Muna, Gabriela and ACT Teachers party-lists—were placed, was assigned to Team Uswag.

Sayno emphasized that before the start of the official campaign period, Comelec designated common poster areas to senatorial, party-list and local candidates in accordance with Section 9 of the Fair Election Act.

“The designation of their common poster areas was based on a draw-lots procedure,” he added.

Comelec facilitated a dialogue on April 8 between the Makabayan Panay coalition and Treñas’ camp after the former alleged that at least three of their posters were completely covered by Team Uswag materials.

Following the meeting, both sides conducted an ocular inspection and reached a resolution.

The Makabayan posters were then relocated to their proper designated area.

While Team Uswag was within its rights to use the space, Sayno said it would have been more courteous to inform the group before covering or removing any materials.

“Team Uswag apologized for what happened, as the posting was carried out by their barangay leaders,” he added.

Sayno urged all candidates to coordinate with Comelec before posting campaign materials to prevent similar incidents.

“We call on all candidates to ensure proper and seamless placement of their posters by coordinating with Comelec, so we can guide them on where to post,” he said, attributing the incident to a simple case of miscommunication.