The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared that it will commence sending out notices for the removal of illegal campaign materials starting February 12. This initiative, dubbed ‘Oplan Baklas,’ targets candidates vying for national positions in the upcoming elections. The announcement was made by Comelec Chairperson George Garcia during a forum in Manila.
Garcia warned that candidates who fail to comply with these notices could face severe penalties, including sanctions and potential non-proclamation as winners. He referenced the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, where similar violations led to about 7,500 show cause orders and non-proclamations.
Candidates and party-list organizations have a three-day window to remove their illegally placed campaign materials. Non-compliance could lead to disqualification and imprisonment ranging from one to six years. Garcia emphasized that excuses such as materials being posted by political rivals would not be accepted, and the responsibility would be presumed to lie with the candidate featured on the materials.
The Comelec also has the authority to suspend proclamations and remove elected officials found guilty of election law violations. Garcia encouraged the public to report illegal campaign materials via social media, enabling the Comelec to take swift action.
Illegal campaign materials include oversized posters, billboards, and tarpaulins, as well as those placed outside designated common poster areas such as plazas, markets, and barangay centers. On the first day of the campaign period for national positions, Garcia noted a significant collection of paper materials, which must be properly accounted for and disposed of according to election laws.
Despite the volume of materials collected, Garcia described the first day of the campaign as ‘very good,’ with no large banners observed along major thoroughfares like EDSA. The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set to conclude on May 10.