POLITICAL candidates have proven to be the number one violators of Presidential Decree 953, a national law which prohibits any person from damaging naturally growing trees along public roads, public grounds or any other public place this election period as almost all national and local candidates, including party-list candidates, nailed their campaign posters in trees. The Green Ilocos Norte Network and Advocacy (GINNA), a non-profit, multi-sectoral group of environmentalists made this overall assessment after the group participated in a series of Operation Baklas, an activity aimed at removing campaign materials from non-common poster areas, especially on trees on April 14, 26 and 27, 2007. Operation Baklas also served as one of the major highlights of Earth Day celebration activity of GINNA, which aims primarily to inspire awareness among Ilocanos here to safeguard the environment and protect it from harassment and abuse. As the group is actively promoting environment advocacy in the province, Shermon Cruz, GINNA president, hopes that voters would decide wisely in the election and take a more active role in shaping the government future towards a “greener” Philippines and Ilocos Norte. Citing Dr. Isidro Esteban’s statement which inspired GINNA to take action, Cruz reiterated that “trees ate the most remarkable organisms, the biggest and long-lived of all plants whose contribution to mankind cannot be overemphasized. Unfortunately, few people respect trees, much less think of them as living creatures with feelings. Really, trees have feelings, too!” Esteban is a tree surgeon and a forestry consultant. Father Leo Ruiz, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Laoag, and who is also a member of GINNA, said the trees are the “lungs” of the nation and they should be properly cared for and protected to prevent environment degradation. As an environment advocate, Cruz further stressed the need to strengthen policies and guidelines on environment protection and to treat environment issues as a major issue in crafting legislations. Based on the result of Operation Baklas conducted along the national highways and provincial roads of the province, the top violators of PD 953 in pursuant to Republic Act 9006, also known as the Fair Elections Act regulating the posting of campaign posters were: senatorial candidates Luis “Chavit” Singson, Manuel Villar, Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Michael Defensor, Ralph Recto, Loren Legarda, Benigno Aquino III, Cesar Montano, Aquilino Pimentel III and Prospero Pichay. For the local candidates they are: Rodolfo C. Fariñas, Michael M. Keon, Albert D. Chua, Ma. Elena M. Nalupta, R. Valenzuela, Jimboy Albano, Reynolan Sales, Ruben Taylan, Linda Ver and Arevalo Dancel. Despite the removal of the campaign posters nailed on trees, the group lamented that political candidates, or at least their supporters, just re-nailed their campaign posters on trees as well as on other prohibited areas. Leilanie G. Adriano
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