TAKEN DOWN | Members of the Commission on Elections’ “Oplan Baklas” task force in Bacolod City remove illegal campaign materials placed on electric posts early in March. (PHOTO COURTESY OF REVO SORBITO)
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in this city will continue to remove illegal campaign materials of national candidates placed in public places outside of the common poster areas.
City elections officer Revo Sorbito said only those that were hung on private properties would be spared in compliance with the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court.
For now, he said residents could place oversized campaign materials within their private properties.
On March 8, the Comelec suspended the removal of campaign posters on private properties after the High Tribunal issued the TRO against “Oplan Baklas,” which, under Comelec Resolution No. 10730, gave the poll body the power to remove oversized election materials installed in private properties.
The High Court blocked the Comelec from implementing the resolution pending final judgment on the case filed by supporters of presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo questioning the constitutionality of “Oplan Baklas.”
Common poster areas
The Comelec had identified at least a hundred common poster areas in 61 barangays in Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental province.
“We will continue with our ‘baklas’ operations in public spaces, as it is required by law. As far as ‘baklas’ in private places, that is held in abeyance, in deference to the court,” Sorbito said.
Oplan Baklas teams had removed thousands of campaign materials in different barangays in Bacolod because they were either oversized or placed outside of the common poster areas.
According to the poll body, campaign tarpaulins should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet.
Authorities also prohibit candidates from nailing their campaign materials on trees.
Environment officials said putting streamers and tarpaulins on trees, especially when using iron nails, could stress out and damage the health condition of trees.