The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to kick off its ‘Oplan Baklas’ initiative on February 11, targeting the removal of illegal campaign materials as the 90-day campaign period for national positions begins. The operation will initially focus on Manila, specifically in the Tondo district, with participants gathering at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros at 4 a.m.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia will lead the operation, joined by officials from the Philippine National Police, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Metro Manila Development Authority, and various civic groups. Garcia emphasized the importance of adhering to campaign rules, reminding candidates and party-list groups to respect voters’ sleeping hours and not to campaign in the early morning hours.
The ‘Oplan Baklas’ will involve the removal of campaign posters and materials that violate size regulations or are placed outside designated common poster areas such as plazas, markets, and barangay centers. Illegal materials include individual posters, billboards, and tarpaulins larger than 2×3 feet, as well as collages and posters with single letters forming larger sizes when assembled.
In addition to the crackdown on illegal campaign materials, Comelec will monitor political advertisements across television, radio, and print media. Candidates are limited to 120 minutes of airtime on television and 180 minutes on radio per station throughout the 90-day campaign period. Furthermore, spending limits are set at PHP3 per voter for candidates affiliated with political parties and PHP5 per voter for independent candidates.