The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) asked local officials running in the May 12 polls yesterday to remove or cover their photos and names on government vehicles during the campaign period.

Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said it is only for the duration of the campaign period for local candidates, which starts March 28 and ends May 10.

“Ideally, we recommend to local officials whose photos and names are plastered on ambulances, dump trucks, and other vehicles owned by local government units [LGUs] to temporarily remove or cover these to avoid being accused of utilizing government resources for their campaign,” Macute told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

“Of course, there will be exceptions, such as with ambulances when they are needed during emergencies and there is no time to do this,” he added.

Macute said he is writing to the provincial election supervisors in the NIR provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor before March 28 to urge local governments to cooperate.

The Comelec will also conduct a simultaneous nationwide Operation “Baklas” or tearing down of campaign materials in non-designated common areas.

Those who persist in violating the laws, rules and regulations on campaigning will be reported to the Comelec central office in Manila for proper sanctions, Macute said.

Meanwhile, state workers are reminded to avoid openly campaigning for their preferred candidates, especially during office hours and in government spaces, as they are prohibited from engaging in partisan politics.

Macute said government workers can “like and share” campaign posts on social media but with restrictions, such as openly endorsing a candidate with accompanying captions calling for votes. (PNA)