The Alliance of Independents, composed of independent candidates for elective positions in Bacolod in the May 9 polls, is calling on the Commission on Elections to implement strictly the guidelines on campaign materials.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr., who is running for vice mayor, admits that none of their members can afford to join in what he described “the battle of billboards” that is happening in many areas of Bacolod.
The Comelec should monitor the major areas where big posters and billboards should be removed, beginning this week. He said that since the campaign period for national candidates will start on Feb. 8, giant billboards should be removed, and the 2×3 square-foot size for posters in designated areas, and 6×8 for posters in political campaign headquarters, should be strictly followed.
Gamboa said that although they cannot afford billboards as most of independent candidates have no big funding, machineries, and followers, he said they will compensate via other strategies, like the giving of handbills, visits, and conduct of pocket meetings in the different puroks.
He said that only Cano Tan, who is also an independent candidate, can afford to join in the battle of billboards, but stressed that the latter is not a member of their alliance.
The alliance is composed of one candidate for vice mayor and 10 for councilor./MML
Caption
Councilor Jun Gamboa distributing his handbills in Barangay Taculing, Bacolod City Feb. 5.
