MANILA, Philippines — Just a day into the official campaign season for the 2025 elections, some senatorial candidates have already landed in hot water for violating rules on campaign materials, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said on Wednesday that violations were reported in every region, with certain candidates consistently disregarding poster regulations.

“About five senatorial candidates who are really consistent in each region have violations, did not comply with the size requirement, where to post, and did not comply that the materials to be used in campaign materials, it should be environment-friendly,” he said, as cited in a PNA report.

Comelec will first issue notices for the removal of non-compliant posters and tarpaulins, but failure to comply could lead to serious consequences.

“(We will give a) notice to remove first. If they did not comply, recommendations will be forwarded for election offense, and disqualification cases against these candidates would be filed. Therefore, we will issue show cause orders,” Garcia warned.

Candidates have three days to take down the materials before facing further action.

“There’s no need to answer the notice, they can just remove the posters and later, they can answer after removing the materials,” he explained.

However, Garcia declined to name the violators.

“We don’t want to reveal yet because the Comelec might be accused of being impartial. In each region, we know who are the ones who are putting up campaign materials in places where they shouldn’t be. On a daily basis, we will monitor,” he said.

Under Comelec Resolution 11086, campaign posters must adhere to size limits, with posters restricted to 2 feet by 3 feet and streamers not exceeding 3 feet by 8 feet. Materials should also be made from recyclable or eco-friendly materials.

On Tuesday, the poll body began its “Oplan Baklas,” the removal of illegal campaign materials, coinciding with the start of the 90-day campaign period for national positions.