The Commission on Elections in Negros Occidental yesterday warned that, immediately after the start of the campaign period for local candidates, arrests will be made of those engaged in illegal posting of campaign materials.

The deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy for local bets is March 29 and the campaign period starts March 30 and ends May 12. Election day is on May 14. After the March 29 deadline for filing of CoCs, COMELEC personnel will not go to sleep, we will make arrests right away of violators of the rule on the posting of campaign material, COMELEC provincial head Jessie Suarez said.

Every Saturday and Sunday the COMELEC, in coordination with the police, will conduct inspections to ensure that no violations are committed, he added.

We have to put sanity into this election, he said.

COMELEC prohibitions starting March 30 to May 14 is the appointment and hiring of new employees, creation or filing up of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege.

Also prohibited is the construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds, the COMELEC said.

The release, disbursements or expenditures of public funds for public and social services and development is also prohibited by the COMELEC.

Meanwhile, German Tupaz Valladares, 64, the candidate for governor who claims to be an evangelist, submitted on Tuesday the results of his drug test that was negative, Suarez said.

All candidates are required to undergo drug tests.*CPG

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