In Bacolod City, youth volunteers caught the attention of senatorial candidate Chel Diokno for defending their rights to free expression amid the supposed removal of campaign materials in private properties.
Diokno, a human rights lawyer, posted on social media that he dropped by the mural created by Negros Youth for Leni during his Bacolod campaign sortie.
“I have seen these online in their posts but it’s good to finally see it in person!” he said in a Twitter post on Sunday, Feb. 20.
Diokno is running for senator under the ticket of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
The veteran lawyer extolled the youth volunteers of the Leni-Kiko slate as they put up a sign near the mural reminding the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it is in a private property.
Murals of Robredo and Pangilinan have been covered with white paint in some parts of the country as part of the Comelec’s “Operation Baklas”, the poll body’s drive against illegally-sized and -placed campaign materials.
“We are not candidates. We are volunteers and this activity is part of our duly recognized right to free expression,” the sign said.
READ: Diokno gives legal advice for 'victims' of Comelec’s ‘Operation Baklas’ on private land
They also reminded authorities to abide by the Supreme Court ruling in the Diocese of Bacolod vs Comelec case.
“Kudos (Salute) to these young people! Tumitindig at lumalaban para sa ating mga karapatan! (They are standing up and fighting for our rights),” Diokno said.
In a separate post, Diokno also made a call to those affected by “Operation Baklas” in their private properties that they can contact volunteer group Lawyers for Leni for legal advice.
“Sa lahat ng gustong idokumento ang pagbaklas ng mga poster kahit ito ay nasa (To all those who want to document the removal of posters even it’s in) private property, o sa mga gustong may makausap na abogado tungkol dito, mag-email lang po sa (or those who want talk to a lawyer about it, just email) [email protected] o tumawag sa (or call) Lawyers for Chel hotline: 09692986848,” Diokno tweeted.
“Sama-sama tayong manindigan para sa ating mga karapatan at kalayaan! (Let us all stand together for our rights and freedom),” he added.