Criminal complaints were filed against a Silay City mayoral candidate for posting campaign materials on trees in violation of Republic Act 3571 and Presidential Decree 953 on 24 counts on Friday, March 18.
The complaints were filed against Joedith Gallego by private complainant Joval Catanghal before the Silay City Prosecutor’s Office.
Republic Act 3571 prohibits the cutting, destroying or injuring of trees, flowering plants and shrubs along public roads, plazas, parks, school premises or any other public grounds, while Presidential Decree 953 penalizes the damaging and injuring of certain trees.
Catanghal, in his complaint affidavit, said while passing Seaview Subdivision in Barangay Guinhalaran, Silay City, he was upset to see that Gallego had nailed his election campaign materials on growing trees along the public road.
The placing, fixing and nailing of his election campaign materials caused injury to the growing trees, Catanghal said.
Gallego, former vice mayor of Silay City, told DIGICAST NEGROS he had nothing to do with the placing of the campaign materials on trees.
He did not instruct his volunteers to put the campaign materials on trees because he knows it is illegal, Gallego said.
Gallego said that he has no idea who put the campaign materials on the trees.
His opponent also has campaign materials on trees but he did not file complaints, Gallego added.*