By Leslie Ann Aquino
The Commission on Elections will scour the major thoroughfares in Metro Manila today to remove and tear down all prohibited forms of campaign propaganda materials.
The massive “Operation Baklas” will be conducted by the poll body in cooperation with various government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Metro Manila Development Authority.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The Comelec will assemble at the MMDA office in Edsa corner Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City at 10:30 a.m. then proceed with the baklas operations in Mandaluyong City, San Juan City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, and Quezon City.
Earlier, the poll body started monitoring the illegal campaign materials of senators and partylist groups running in the May 13 midterm polls following the start of the campaign period for national candidates.
The campaign period for national candidates started February 12 and will end on May 11.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez earlier advised the public to just report to the poll body if they see illegal campaign posters of candidates instead of personally taking it down.
“Technically, people can take them down. But I will not advise it because it is dangerous,” said Jimenez.
“You can report them to us and we can file the case. We will inform the concerned election officer so he/she can personally see it and file the appropriate case,” explained the poll official.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10488, campaign posters should be no more than 2x3 feet and posted or displayed only in designated common poster areas or in private property with the consent of the owner.
Public places where campaign propaganda is prohibited include LED and LCD monitors on walls of public buildings; motor vehicles owned by LGUs and GOCCs; public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government such as the MRT, LRT and PNR; waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signage and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways; schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers; and within the premises of public transport terminals owned and controlled by the government. #MatalinongBoto2019