Comelec's 'Oplan Baklas' kicks off as campaign period begins | ABS-CBN
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Comelec's 'Oplan Baklas' kicks off as campaign period begins
Comelec's 'Oplan Baklas' kicks off as campaign period begins
The Commission on Elections led by chairman George Garcia along with the Manila government remove illegally placed campaign materials along Oraquieta cor. Recto Avenue on October 20, 2023, a day after the start of the campaign period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Comelec reminded candidates to post campaign materials only in designated areas to prevent the removal of posters and possible disqualification cases. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
The Commission on Elections led by chairman George Garcia along with the Manila government remove illegally placed campaign materials along Oraquieta cor. Recto Avenue on October 20, 2023, a day after the start of the campaign period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Comelec reminded candidates to post campaign materials only in designated areas to prevent the removal of posters and possible disqualification cases. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Commission on Elections kicked off its "Oplan Baklas" before dawn on Tuesday, February 11, the start of the official campaign period for the national positions for the 2025 midterm elections.
MANILA — The Commission on Elections kicked off its "Oplan Baklas" before dawn on Tuesday, February 11, the start of the official campaign period for the national positions for the 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and other officials of the commission led the operation in Tondo, Manila.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia and other officials of the commission led the operation in Tondo, Manila.
According to Garcia, the commission will go after candidates who will continuously violate election laws.
According to Garcia, the commission will go after candidates who will continuously violate election laws.
“Ito po ay napakalaking simbolismo, at ito ay para sa buong bansa, upang ipakita sa mga kandidato, sa mga political parties na sa mga susunod na araw, ‘pagka nagkabit sila doon sa mga lugar na hindi dapat sila nagkakabit, tatanggalin at tatanggalin namin,” he said.
“Ito po ay napakalaking simbolismo, at ito ay para sa buong bansa, upang ipakita sa mga kandidato, sa mga political parties na sa mga susunod na araw, ‘pagka nagkabit sila doon sa mga lugar na hindi dapat sila nagkakabit, tatanggalin at tatanggalin namin,” he said.
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Garcia however admitted they could not just remove campaign materials posted on private properties.
Garcia however admitted they could not just remove campaign materials posted on private properties.
“Hindi po namin puwedeng tanggalin 'yung mga nasa private properties sapagkat 'yan po ay protektado ng karapatan nung mismong may-ari ng property na yan,” he explained.
“Hindi po namin puwedeng tanggalin 'yung mga nasa private properties sapagkat 'yan po ay protektado ng karapatan nung mismong may-ari ng property na yan,” he explained.
Task Force Oplan Baklas did not remove yet the campaign materials of local candidates.
Task Force Oplan Baklas did not remove yet the campaign materials of local candidates.
Garcia explained those are not yet within the powers of Comelec as the campaign period for local candidates will start on March 28.
Garcia explained those are not yet within the powers of Comelec as the campaign period for local candidates will start on March 28.
“Iniwasan po nating tanggalin 'yung alam natin na tumatakbo sa local positions sapagkat una - hindi pa po sila ang pakay namin sa kasalakuyan at pangalawa, hindi pa po sila kandidato pero siyempre po walang makakapigil sa MMDA o sa local government units na ipatanggal yung mga ganyan sapagkat 'yan po ay maaaring violation ng kanilang mga ordinansa,” he said.
“Iniwasan po nating tanggalin 'yung alam natin na tumatakbo sa local positions sapagkat una - hindi pa po sila ang pakay namin sa kasalakuyan at pangalawa, hindi pa po sila kandidato pero siyempre po walang makakapigil sa MMDA o sa local government units na ipatanggal yung mga ganyan sapagkat 'yan po ay maaaring violation ng kanilang mga ordinansa,” he said.
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The commission will keep all confiscated posters and will use them as evidence in filing appropriate charges.
The commission will keep all confiscated posters and will use them as evidence in filing appropriate charges.
“Hindi po ito puwedeng sunugin. Hindi rin po puwedeng basta i-dispose o itatapon na lamang sapagkat kinakailangan properly i-account po 'yung lahat ng makukumpiska na 'yan for purpose of later on kung saka-sakali magpa-file ng kaso laban don sa kandidato,” Garcia said.
“Hindi po ito puwedeng sunugin. Hindi rin po puwedeng basta i-dispose o itatapon na lamang sapagkat kinakailangan properly i-account po 'yung lahat ng makukumpiska na 'yan for purpose of later on kung saka-sakali magpa-file ng kaso laban don sa kandidato,” Garcia said.
The Comelec chairman said there are designated common poster areas mostly in public places.
The Comelec chairman said there are designated common poster areas mostly in public places.
“Sa common poster areas ay naglatag ang ating mga local Comelec sa mga public places, makikita natin yan lalo na sa mga public plaza, sa mga lugar kung saan nagkukumpulan ang mga tao. Comelec lang ang puwedeng mag-designate ng common poster areas,” Garcia added.
“Sa common poster areas ay naglatag ang ating mga local Comelec sa mga public places, makikita natin yan lalo na sa mga public plaza, sa mga lugar kung saan nagkukumpulan ang mga tao. Comelec lang ang puwedeng mag-designate ng common poster areas,” Garcia added.
The poll chief assured candidates that it would observe due process before filing disqualification cases against anyone.
The poll chief assured candidates that it would observe due process before filing disqualification cases against anyone.
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“Mag-i-isyu sila ng mga notices sa mga kandidato at ipatatanggal nila, hindi na kami ang magtatanggal - sila na ang magtatanggal in a period of 3-days. Kapag hindi nila ginawa yung pagtatanggal in 3-days, pa-file-lan namin sila ng kasong election offense sa law department at karampatang disqualification,” Garcia furthered.
“Mag-i-isyu sila ng mga notices sa mga kandidato at ipatatanggal nila, hindi na kami ang magtatanggal - sila na ang magtatanggal in a period of 3-days. Kapag hindi nila ginawa yung pagtatanggal in 3-days, pa-file-lan namin sila ng kasong election offense sa law department at karampatang disqualification,” Garcia furthered.
“Tatanggalin namin 'yung mga wala sa common poster areas at kapag wala sa size o kaya naman mali yung pinaglalagyan - pagka nabigyan po namin sila ng notice at hindi pa rin tinanggal, kakasuhan po namin sila ng election offense…1 to 6 years imprisonment 'yan at puwede po naming i-presume na kung sino po yung nandon sa mismong larawan ng kandidato siya po ang nagkabit o nagpakabit ng campaign materials na yan” Garcia said.
“Tatanggalin namin 'yung mga wala sa common poster areas at kapag wala sa size o kaya naman mali yung pinaglalagyan - pagka nabigyan po namin sila ng notice at hindi pa rin tinanggal, kakasuhan po namin sila ng election offense…1 to 6 years imprisonment 'yan at puwede po naming i-presume na kung sino po yung nandon sa mismong larawan ng kandidato siya po ang nagkabit o nagpakabit ng campaign materials na yan” Garcia said.
There is no fine, but it could be a ground for disqualification of a candidate.
There is no fine, but it could be a ground for disqualification of a candidate.
“Kung sa simple pong posters hindi sumusunod yung mga kandidato how much more yung mga malalaking requirement ng mga komisyon pagka ganitong halalan,” according to Garcia.
“Kung sa simple pong posters hindi sumusunod yung mga kandidato how much more yung mga malalaking requirement ng mga komisyon pagka ganitong halalan,” according to Garcia.
CAMPAIGN SPENDING LIMIT
Starting Tuesday, the commission reminded all candidates to observe the campaign spending limit.
Starting Tuesday, the commission reminded all candidates to observe the campaign spending limit.
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Garcia explained that the rule remains that a political party candidate can only spend P3 per registered voter and P5 per registered voter for those without any political party.
Garcia explained that the rule remains that a political party candidate can only spend P3 per registered voter and P5 per registered voter for those without any political party.
He also said the commission will strictly implement the limitation for political advertisement on television and radio.
He also said the commission will strictly implement the limitation for political advertisement on television and radio.
“Mula ngayong araw yung P3 bawat registered voter kapag meron kang political party, ‘pag walang political party P5 bawat registered voter ay ngayon magsisimula - 90 days po yan at yan nakabase per registered voter,” according to Garcia.
“Mula ngayong araw yung P3 bawat registered voter kapag meron kang political party, ‘pag walang political party P5 bawat registered voter ay ngayon magsisimula - 90 days po yan at yan nakabase per registered voter,” according to Garcia.
“Ngayon araw na rin magsisimula yung 120 minutes nila sa telebisyon kapagka sila ay national candidate at 180 minutes ating mga radyo."
“Ngayon araw na rin magsisimula yung 120 minutes nila sa telebisyon kapagka sila ay national candidate at 180 minutes ating mga radyo."
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