By Danny Estacio

 

GENERAL LUNA, Quezon – Quezon Third District also known as Bondoc Peninsula congressional bet and this town Mayor Erwin Matt Florido that his priority bill once he won this 2025 elections is to file a bill that would prohibit the use of tarpaulins and plastic banners as campaign materials by candidates, said during his campaign sorties.

Florido said that apart from harming the environment, it is also unfair to all candidates.

He added that in the present electoral system, wealthy candidates benefit because they can spread thousands of tarpaulins, often exceeding the campaign spending limits, and often falsifying their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

He said that while candidates who are short of funds almost do not see any campaign materials on the streets. Because of this, the system becomes biased in favor of the wealthy.

Florido said, “Instead of tarpaulins and plastic banners, a series of debates should be made mandatory for local and national candidates.”

The candidates’ forum is where the true capabilities and platforms of each candidate can be seen, and the number of tarpaulins is not the basis for people’s votes.

Using plastic campaign materials and the impact of this waste on our environment should not be ignored either—several tons of plastic waste are accumulated every election.

Florido urges “we must change the way we campaign: make the distribution of flyers and leaflets, the use of online platforms, and attending debates and forums the main methods. This way, all candidates—rich or poor—will have an equal fight, and our environment will also benefit.”