Comelec to clarify ‘Oplan Baklas’ guidelines after SC’s TRO

(FILE) Workers of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority prepare to haul a pile of campaign materials taken down along the stretch of Espana Boulevard in Manila on Feb. 18, 2022, as the Commission on Elections starts “Oplan Baklas.” (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will discuss this Wednesday the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court directing the poll body to suspend its operations to remove campaign materials placed by private citizens in their properties, Comelec Commissioner Atty. George Garcia said Wednesday.

According to Garcia, the meeting will seek to clarify guidelines on the Comelec’s “Oplan Baklas” after the SC issued the TRO.

“Mamaya po pag-u-usapan po namin ‘yan upang maging mas maliwanag ano ba talaga ang na-TRO o narestrain ng Korte Suprema at ano pa rin, despite the fact na may TRO, ang talagang bawal naman,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(We will talk about that later so that it will be clear what was covered by the TRO and restrained by the Supreme Court and what, despite the TRO, is really prohibited.)

“Ang ating mga kandidato, baka akala nila, porke’t may TRO ay kahit saan na lang makapaglagay. ‘Yan po, kinakailangan maliwanag at dapat mayroon po kaming guidelines,” he added.

(Candidates may think that just because there is a TRO, they may place the posters anywhere. We need to clarify that and there should be guidelines.)

Comelec Resolution No. 10730 provides guidelines for posting campaign materials, including common poster areas and the measurement of campaign paraphernalia.

The Supreme Court issued a TRO on “Oplan Baklas” on Tuesday, a week after supporters of presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo petitioned the court to stop the operations.

Garcia, who was recently appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as Comelec chairman, agreed that the poll body should clarify guidelines for “Oplan Baklas” with the High Court’s issuance of the restraining order.

“Sa aking palagay, tayo po ay kinakailangan mag-issue ang Comelec ng guidelines talaga para sa kaliwanagan ng lahat pati po ng ating mga magiging election officers, provincial election supervisors, para naman po hindi nagkakaroon ng tunggalian at gitgitan. Baka umabot sa isang pisikal na alam niyo naman, kung hindi man ay kasuhan,” Garcia said.

(I think we should issue guidelines for the clarification of everyone including election officers and provincial election supervisors, so that there will be no conflict. It may lead to physical fights or if not, filing of cases.)

“Ang importante po dito, maging maliwanag, ah ito pala naman talaga ang bawal, ito naman pala ay pwede, ito po ang sabi ng Korte Suprema, ito po ang covered ng TRO, ito po ‘yung hindi covered ng TRO,” he added.

(What is important here is that it should be clear. Ah, it is prohibited, this is allowed, this is what the Supreme Court said, this is what is covered by the TRO, this is what was not covered by the TRO.)

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