The Commission on Elections explained Monday its rules on candidates’ billboards ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. 

Comelec spokesman Atty. John Rex Laudiangco said all billboards must be built on private and not public property.

For national positions, candidates’ billboards must be 1 kilometer apart while for local positions, candidates’ billboards must be 500 meters apart. “Hindi pupwede na pupunuin na lahat na lang ng dadaanan, tabi-tabi,” the spokesperson said.

Billboards of national candidates are allowed to stay up for 2 months while local candidates can only stay for 1 month.

Laudiangco noted putting up billboards this early is not considered an election offense based on previous Supreme Court decisions that state a candidate becomes liable for election offenses only upon the start of the designated campaign period. Comelec Chairman George Garcia has expressed dismay over these rulings, saying some candidates can engage in premature campaigning. 

The official campaign period for candidates seeking national elective posts starts February 11 while the campaign period for local candidates starts March 28.

Billboard companies are also required to submit their contracts to Comelec.