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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Año defends controversial campaign poster removal in private properties

Año defends controversial campaign poster removal in private properties

Published Feb 18, 2022 10:58 am

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año defended on Friday, Feb. 18, the removal of supposed illegal campaign tarpaulins in private properties despite protests from political aspirants and their supporters.

Secretary Eduardo Ano (DILG photo)

Confronted with the controversy, Año pointed out that the affected parties are first informed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of the alleged violation before the said campaign posters were confiscated.

“Meron naman ding warning. Bago magbaklasan diyan ay sinusulatan ng Comelec kung sino 'yong nandun sa poster para in three days ay baklasin nila (There is also a warning. Before the removal there, the Comelec notifies the personalities in the poster for them to remove it within three days),’’ Año explained.

In the event the concerned parties do not take appropriate action, Año said that is the time the Comelec and law enforcers will come in.

Amid the controversy, Año urged political aspirants both in the local and national polls and their supporters to just follow the campaign guidelines set by the Comelec.

“Tayo ngayon kasi ay nasa (we are in the) election period,’’ he added.

The DILG chief insisted that the Omnibus Election Code takes precedence that should be observed by the political bets, their supporters and the electorate.

As “Oplan:Baklas’’ is enforced, many sectors have chided the Comelec and the law enforcers for trespassing and violation on the freedom of expression for allegedly dismantling campaign posters in private areas.

But Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez claimed that the private property owners gave the go signal for their personnel to tear down the campaign posters.

On Feb. 17, the camp of Vice President Leni Robredo said it has contemplated pursuing legal action against the Comelec’s removal of campaign materials for her presidential bid in the homes of volunteers.

Viral videos show enforcers entering the private properties of Robredo's supporters and taking down tarpaulins, which the Comelec said should only be placed in common poster areas.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal also raised the possibility of a class suit by presidential contenders so that the issue could be threshed out immediately.

Related Tags

Vice President Leni Robredo Romulo Macalintal campaign posters Comelec DILG Eduardo Año 2
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