Comelec starts province-wide Oplan Baklas on Monday

Mandaue City Comelec personnel started removal of unauthorized campaign materials ahead of the official start of the province-wide Oplan Baklas on Monday. /CDN Digital File Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Oversized campaign materials and those that hang outside of the designated poster areas will already be removed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) starting on Monday, April 8.

Lawyer Jerome Brillantes, Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor, said they will be conducting a province-wide “Oplan Baklas” to rid especially the public places of these eyesores.

Brillantes said that the use of oversized campaign materials was also a violation of the Fair Elections Act.

Read More: Comelec urges local candidates to remove illegally placed campaign materials before implementation of ‘Oplan Baklas’

“Mas maayo gihapon nga sila ang mag initiate daan og baklas sa ilang own illegally posted nga campaign materials,” Brillantes said.

(It would be best if the candidates initiate their own Oplan Baklas and remove their illegally posted campaign materials.)

Brillantes said they will also list the names of the candidates who violate provisions of the Fair Elections Act and submit their list to their head office for investigation and the possible imposition of appropriate sanctions.

Under the law, the acceptable size for campaign posters should not exceed two feet by three feet. These should only be placed in Comelec designated areas. Campaign materials posted on private properties should have with the consent of the property owner.

Read More: Comelec yields van-full of illegally installed streamers after Oplan Baklas in Mandaue City

The law also prohibits the mounting of campaign materials on trees, electric posts, waiting sheds, traffic lights, public shrines, public transport terminals, bridges  and government buildings like health centers, schools and barangay halls. /dcb