OPERATION BAKLAS. Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (center) leads the "Operation Baklas" of illegal campaign materials of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates along Oroquieta Street corner Recto Avenue in Manila on Friday (Oct. 20, 2023). Most of the campaign materials removed were hanging from electric posts and wires. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) found no major violations on campaign material requirements for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as it launched its nationwide "Operation Baklas" on Friday.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia led Oplan Baklas or the removal of illegally placed or unlawful-sized campaign materials in Barangay 657 and 658 in Intramuros, Manila, particularly those hanging from electric posts or wires.
"At least so far, kahit illegal iyong [pagkakalagay ng] campaign materials, sumunod sila sa 2 by 3 (feet) na requirement. Walang masyadong napakalaki na campaign materials (even though the campaign materials were illegally placed, they adhered to the 2x3 feet requirement, not much of the huge campaign materials)," he said in an ambush interview.
Garcia urged candidates and their supporters to refrain from hanging posters on electric wires.
"Kita niyo po sa pagtatanggal natin, baka masira pa iyong mga kable ng kuryente. Ma-istorbo iyong mga kababayan natin na nagkakabit ng kanilang kuryente (You saw that during our removal, we might damage the electric cables, disturb our fellow Filipinos' electric connections), at the same time, the cables," he added.
Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco reported that the first two days of the official campaign period were generally peaceful and organized.
"Bagamat mayroon po kaming na-subject sa operation baklas pero iilan-ilan lang po ito at karamihan naman po ng mga kandidato natin ay totoong responsableng kandidato at sumusunod po sa alintuntunin nating panghalalan (Although we have subjected some to operation baklas, these were few and most of our candidates are truly responsible and adherent to our election protocols)," he said in a separate news channel interview.
Laudiangco vowed Comelec's continued strict monitoring against erring candidates who may engage in illegal campaigning or vote buying.
He reminded the public to maintain their active participation in cracking down on illegal actions of BSK bets by sending their complaints.
He said the public can easily send complaints via social media platforms or hotlines, with details including the candidates' names, date, area, and description of the violation, alongside photos or video.
"Ang nagbabantay po sa kanila, hindi lang Comelec at PNP (Philippine National Police) kundi mismong kabarangay, kababayan nila na inaakit sana nila na maging botante (Comelec and PNP are not the only ones watching them, but their fellow barangay citizens whose votes they are trying to gain)," Laudiangco said.
The poll body will start filing petitions for disqualification over illegal campaigning next week.
As of Oct. 19, the Comelec Task Force Anti-Epal has issued 164 show cause orders to BSKE bets allegedly involved in illegal campaigning.
For premature campaigning, 7,103 show cause orders have been issued, with 149 petitions for disqualification filed and 849 complaints dropped due to lack of factual basis.
Garcia, meanwhile, reported the completion of the election materials' deployment.
"Ngayong araw na ito ay matatapos na ang distribution ng lahat ng pagpa-pareceive ng election paraphernalia sa buong bansa (Today, we will complete the distribution of election paraphernalia nationwide)," he said.
Meanwhile, all accountable forms and supplies needed for the conversion of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan into a component city plebiscite were dispatched from the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna warehouse around 9 a.m.
The Comelec en banc likewise held a meeting for the final pre-week assessment of the BSKE overall preparations.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos assured full support to the Comelec’s desire to conduct a fair, honest, peaceful and safe BSKE.
“The DILG, together with the Philippine National Police, as well as its attached offices, is committed to help the Comelec in going after campaign violators nationwide and to ensure that they are prosecuted in accordance with existing election laws,” said Abalos in a statement.
He also agreed with the Comelec’s decision to suspend the proclamation of BSKE candidates who will win in the upcoming elections with pending campaign violations.
“Nagbabala na ang Comelec na kahit nanalo ang isang kandidato sa bilangan ay maaring hindi iproklama hangga't hindi nareresolba ang reklamong inihain laban sa kanya. Kaya kahit manalo kayo, basta’t ipinag -utos ng Comelec na pababain kayo, I will make sure na kayo ay matatanggal sa inyong puwesto. Gagawin natin ito upang mapanatili ang integridad ng halalan (The Comelec has already warned that even if a candidate wins in the voting, he may not be proclaimed until the complaint filed against him is resolved. So even if you win, as long as the Comelec orders to remove you, I will make sure that you will be removed from your position. We will do this in order to maintain the integrity of the election),” Abalos said. “Let us give the voters the respect that they deserve.” (With a report from Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan/PNA)
