The Commission on Elections led by chairman George Garcia along with the Manila government remove illegally placed campaign materials along Oraquieta cor. Recto Avenue on October 20, 2023, a day after the start of the campaign period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start taking down campaign materials posted outside designated areas next week, the agency’s top official said on Saturday, days before the start of campaigning for the 2025 midterm elections.

This year, senatorial candidates and party-lists will begin their 90-day campaign on February 11, while those vying for local posts will start their 45-day campaign in the latter part of March.

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“Magmo-monitor kami, magta-tanggal kami, magbabaklas kami doon sa mga lugar na hindi naman dapat nila nilalagyan ng mga campaign materials,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(We will monitor and we will take down materials in places where campaign materials aren't supposed to be posted)

He said the Comelec will not take down materials posted on private poperty.

“Nirerespeto po yan ng Commission on Elections base na rin sa naging desisyon ng Korte Suprema," he said.

(The Commission on Elections respects that and that is also based on a Supreme Court decision)

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Candidates should remind their staff to abide by the Fair Elections Act and other election policies, including the use of biodegradable materials during campaigns, Garcia said.

The Comelec earlier warned candidates that those who would fail to take down materials that do not comply with the required size may be disqualified from the race.