Six candidates from Pampanga face disqualification charges filed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) due to illegal campaign materials, as of May 7.

Filed by the COMELEC’s inter-agency unit “Task Force Baklas,” that includes the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to name, the candidates facing disqualification have been repeatedly sent notices to remove their illegal materials but reportedly failed to comply while the notices were received.

“Napilitan na ang Task Force Baklas namin na mag-file ng kasong diskwalipikasyon sa isang kandidatong senador, kandidatong governors, vice governors, [miyembro ng] sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang bayan, at may mga mayor din,” said Garcia during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay Forum.

“Ilang beses na po namin silang sinulatan na tanggalin [ang posters], hindi tinatanggal. Tinatanggap naman ang sulat, pero hindi tinatanggal [ang posters],” Garcia continued.

Among the Pampanga candidates charged are Allan Pineda Onofre and Elimar Ventura, both running for councilor in Mexico; Shiwen Pamintuan Lim, a board member candidate for the 3rd District; Niko Pangan Gonzales, councilor candidate in Magalang; Raco Paolo Sundiam Del Rosario, councilorable in Angeles City; and Maria Lourdes “Madir” Mamawan-Alejandrino, a mayoral candidate in Arayat. They are among the 24 candidates nationwide who face the same charge from COMELEC.

Under COMELEC Resolution No. 11086, using oversized materials, posting in unauthorized locations, and failing to use environmentally compliant materials are prohibited and are treated as election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.

Failure to adhere to these rules can result in penalties including fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from public office.