Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental – The Alyansa ng Pagbabago (Alyansa), the administration’s coalition, has decried the illegal posting of senatorial campaign materials on public property, including centuries-old trees in Dumaguete City.
Negros Oriental members of the Alyansa ng Pagbabago, the administrations alliance for the midterm elections, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisal, reported the violations to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and took photos as evidence.
This alleged disregard for environmental protection and election laws has prompted the Alyansa to demand a full investigation.
The group accuses unnamed senatorial candidates of resorting to illegal tactics, defacing even historically significant trees with campaign posters using administration’s political bets. This action, the Alyansa argues, is not only environmentally damaging but also a clear violation of election regulations.
The violation was observed during the grand rally of Alyansa in Dumaguete last February 20, Thursday.
The investigation will examine not only the candidates’ actions but also the apparent failure of Comelec enforcement. The blatant disregard for designated posting areas raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current regulations and their enforcement.
Furthermore, the Alyansa alleges that tenured civil service employees within the Senate are actively campaigning for specific candidates, potentially violating election laws that prohibit such partisan activity by government personnel. These employees allegedly seek promotions and financial gain in exchange for their support.
The Alyansa’s call for a thorough investigation highlights the gravity of these alleged violations. The desecration of Dumaguete’s heritage trees represents a significant environmental concern and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
The Comelec’s response and the outcome of the investigation will be crucial in ensuring fair and clean elections and holding those responsible accountable.
