In a move to enforce election regulations, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Antique has issued directives to senatorial candidates and party-list groups to take down their oversized and unauthorized campaign posters. This action follows the ‘Oplan Baklas’ initiative, which began on February 11, 2025, aimed at clearing public spaces of non-compliant campaign materials.
During the operation, Comelec officials noted that despite some efforts by candidates’ supporters to remove the illegal posters before the official start of ‘Oplan Baklas’, many still remained, particularly along national roads. Wil Arceño, the Comelec Assistant Regional Director and Antique Provincial Election Supervisor, emphasized the importance of adhering to the Fair Election Act, which stipulates that campaign materials must not exceed two feet by three feet and should only be placed in designated areas.
Arceño announced plans for weekly ‘baklas’ operations to ensure ongoing compliance. He warned that persistent violations could lead to disqualification or charges of election offenses against the candidates or party-lists involved.
In related news, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center is set to meet next week to address the peace and order situation in Antique, with particular attention to Tobias Fornier, the only municipality currently categorized as an area of concern due to heightened political rivalry.