Aspiring vice president Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan believes that the dismantling of campaign posters in private properties will only power their supporters to keep reinstalling them because they see the May polls as a time of "taking a leap of faith and making a stand."
Pangilinan said on Thursday, Feb. 17, that if the removal of campaign materials from private properties continues, which he said is illegal under the Constitution, the authorities will run out of time and manpower to do so.
This is because the supporters of Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TROPA) will only keep on putting them up again, he added.
"Kahit na ano’ng baklas nila, mauubos ang oras at panahon nila dahil iaangat ng taumbayang tumataya at naninindigan ang mga poster na ito (Even if they keep on removing them, they will run out of time because the people, who are taking a leap of faith and making a stand, will continue to put them up)," he said on the sidelines of his meeting with farmers in Atok, Benguet.
"So, kulang ang tao nila para baklasin lahat dahil sa dami ng tumitindig na at tumataya (So, they will lack manpower to remove all materials because many are already standing up and taking a leap of faith)," he added.
Pangilinan also said if Comelec continues to remove campaign materials from private properties, they will run out of time.
"Kahit na anong baklas nila, mauubos ang oras at panahon nila dahil iaangat ng taumbayang tumataya at naninindigan ang mga poster na ito." @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/yUVDeP5ZcR
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) February 17, 2022
The Senator also called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure that they are not favoring any candidate in their "Oplan Baklas."
"Patunayan ng PNP at ng Comelec na hindi sila kumikiling sa sinomang kandidato. Patunayan nila na ang batas ang pinapatupad at hindi ito pinapaburan ang kung sino-sino (The Philippine National Police and Comelec must prove that they are not favoring any candidate. They must prove that they are only enforcing the law and not favoring anyone)," Pangilinan stressed.
The lawmaker has also called on the poll body to respect the rights of private individuals and warned that they will be compelled to file charges of trespassing and destruction of private property against those who will insist to take down campaign posters from private properties.
He likewise expressed support to their volunteers and supporters amid the issue.
READ MORE: 'Respect right to put up campaign materials in private properties' — Pangilinan