EcoWaste Coalition Calls Out Party-List Groups for Posting Campaign Materials on Trees
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| Environmental watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition calls out some party-list groups for putting up campaign tarpaulins on trees in violation of the law. |
5 March 2025, Quezon City. The environmental watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition deplored the use of trees for posting campaign materials by some party-list groups running for the upcoming midterm elections on May 12.
After denouncing last week the unrestrained posting of campaign tarpaulins in unauthorized places, especially by senatorial bets, the group trained its guns on party-list groups with campaign materials attached on trees using nails or tacker wires.
Last week, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced its plan to issue notices to some 36 party-list groups for violating rules on campaign posters. "Their campaign materials have the wrong sizes, are not environmentally-friendly, and are in the wrong places," said George Erwin Garcia, Chairperson, COMELEC.
Based on the monitoring it conducted last Sunday, March 2, the EcoWaste Coalition found trees in portions of Onyx Street (from Pedro Gil Street to Augusto Francisco Street) and Aurora Boulevard (Barangay 375, Zone 38) in the City of Manila plastered with campaign tarpaulins from at least five party-list groups.
"We are saddened to see the trees harmed in the name of election propaganda," said Jove Benosa, Programs and Projects Manager, EcoWaste Coalition. "The streets where these trees are planted are two of the few remaining ones in the City of Manila with full grown trees on the center island and on sidewalks of both sides of the street."
"We call upon the leaders of these party-list groups to remove their campaign tarpaulins on trees and other prohibited places, and to ensure that their party workers and supporters abide by COMELEC Resolution No. 11111," he said.
COMELEC Resolution No. 11111, among other provisions, strictly prohibits the posting of campaign materials on planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public ground.
As per COMELEC Resolution No. 11086, "in cases where parties and candidates still persist in displaying, posting, or exhibiting their campaign or election propaganda on trees and plants, they shall be prosecuted for violation of these Rules, without prejudice to the institution of a criminal complaint for the violation of Republic Act No. 3571."
R.A. No. 3571 provides for a punishment by "prision correccional" to "prision mayor" for any person who shall, destroy or injure trees, flowering plants and shrubs as mentioned in the said law.
The EcoWaste Coalition and the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) had earlier emphasized the all-important role of trees in the environment and society, and thus the need for a concerted action to nurture and protect them.
Among other benefits, trees support wildlife and people; offer humans with food and other essentials to stay alive and well; clean the air; stabilize and control soil erosion; conserve water; prevent and reduce flooding; mitigate the devastating effects of typhoons; provide shade, cool and beautify the surroundings; and absorb greenhouse and other harmful gases amid the global climate emergency, the groups emphasized.
The groups appealed to all aspirants and candidates not to nail, pin or staple campaign materials on trees, which can damage the bark and puncture the inside of the tree and make it vulnerable to insects and diseases.
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