Political ads in cemeteries?

Even those unexpected places are not spared. And If the dead can talk, they will surely complain over the abuses being made by some politicians.

That seems impossible. But local politicians in the Philippines have made it a practice to promote themselves even during All Saint's and All Souls days.

Despite the ban on political advertisements, many politicians and their supporters have ignored the call by the local governments not to display their political paraphernalias while the feast of the dead is being celebrated.

Local officials said the tarpaulins that were adorned by various political endorsements, with their images emblazoned in most of them,  could be misinterpreted as eyesores.

And the cemeteries are not the proper place to display them. But this practice is true in almost all big cemeteries in Metro Manila, where former presidents and well-known personalities were laid to rest. In most cases, the solemnity is transformed into a circus as thousands of people gather, rain or shine, to pay their respects to their dead loved ones.

Why is this so? Of course, it is the tactics of politicians to share their sympathy by providing people with food, water, shade, transportation and other services to at least
make feel comfortable as the people spend their time with the dead.

Unlike in the previous years, this year's feast in honor of the saints and the dead was proven to be peaceful, with no untoward incidents taking place inside the Manila North and South cemeteries, both located in Metro Manila.

Thanks to the Philippine National Police, Metro Manila Development Authority and the local government authorities for putting their acts together by providing tight security and, at the same time, banning people from bringing in alcohol, sharp objects, videokes, and firearms inside the cemeteries.

 In general, the celebration was peaceful and orderly.