The Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Muntinlupa has activated its Task Force Operation Baklas for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The task force will go after illegal campaign materials, or those posted in unauthorized places or have violated the guidelines.
Comelec-Muntinlupa Election Officer Kim Alzate-Cu convenes the members of the Task Force Operation Baklas (Photo from Comelec-Muntinlupa's Facebook page)
According to the Comelec, campaign materials can be posted on common poster areas or in private properties with the permission of the owner.
The Baklas Operations cover campaign materials posted in public places and those that violate the guidelines even if these are in common poster areas.
The operations do not cover campaign materials in private properties after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order in March last year.
Candidates started their 10-day campaign period on Oct. 19 and will end on Oct. 28.
Here are the campaign guidelines set by Comelec:
With three days to go before the start of the Campaign Period for the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (2023 BSKE), the Commission on Elections sternly reminds the candidates to be role models of good citizenship by strictly adhering to the applicable laws and issuances relative to campaigning.
The Campaign Period for the 2023 BSKE will run for ten (10) days, from 19-28 October 2023. In addition to the general guidelines laid out in COMELEC Resolution No. 10924 specifically referring to election campaign or partisan political activity, as well as political advertisement or election propaganda, the COMELEC enjoins Barangay and SK candidates and their supporters to be guided as follows:
1. Lawful campaign materials should be posted only on designated common poster areas. The following are considered PROHIBITED CAMPAIGN PROPAGANDA:
Individual posters in a common poster area exceeding 2x3 feet;
Billboards, posters, and tarpaulins exceeding 2x3 feet;
Election campaign or propaganda materials that violate gender sensitivity principles, or are obscene, discriminatory or offensive, or otherwise constitute a violation of Republic Act No. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women;
Posters or tarpaulins that do not bear the words "Political advertisement paid for/by ________" or "Printed free of charge," as may be applicable;
Posters that are not standalone, having the maximum size or lesser of 2x3 feet, and put together side by side to form a collage-like poster exceeding 2x3 feet;
Posters with single letters of names, having the maximum size or lesser of 2x3 feet, assembled together to form a size exceeding 2x3 feet, or other similar manner or means of grouping of such posters that tends to circumvent the size limitation; and
Posters or tarpaulins bearing the image of candidates, whether individually, by group, or of the whole slate which exceed 2x3 feet.
2. Campaigning in groups and posting campaign propaganda in groups ARE ALLOWED as long as the poster is in accordance with the size requirement.
3. Campaigning on television or cable television, radio, newspaper, internet, or any other, medium, such as in social media, IS ALLOWED for all bona fide candidates seeking Barangay and SK elective positions, subject to the limitation on authorized expenses of candidates, observation of truth in advertising, and to the supervision and regulation by the COMELEC. Live streaming on the candidate's social media platforms shall be considered a form of e-rally, subject to existing rules.
4. In case of UNLAWFUL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS posted in PUBLIC and PRIVATE PROPERTIES, the Election Officer shall send a Notice to Remove and Show Cause Order to the concerned candidates, at which point the rules of the TASK FORCE ANTI-EPAL shall govern.
5. The nationwide simultaneous conduct of OPERATION BAKLAS or the removal of unlawful campaign materials posted on designated common poster areas or other public places shall be done on 20 October 2023 and 27 October 2023.
Pursuant to Section 250 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10924, the following PUBLIC PLACES may not be the subject of the Baklas Operations when they have been duly designated by the Election Officer as common poster areas, and all election propaganda posters therein are NOT PROHIBITED:
- Plazas
- Markets
- Barangay Centers
Other similar places where posters may be readily seen or read and with the heaviest pedestrian and/ or vehicular traffic in the city or municipality.
The Election Officers may cause the amendment or modification of the list of designated common poster areas, subject to the following rules:
No common poster area shall be removed from the list, whether motu proprio or upon written request, without prior written notice to the affected candidates;
A common poster area may be removed from the list if there was error in the inclusion of the same, or if the removal is proper in order to address historical, cultural, public safety, and other serious concerns, or if the removal is in connection with the implementation of existing law or ordinance or order of competent court;
The concerned Election Officer shall ensure to locate and designate an appropriate substitute common poster area;
An aggrieved candidate may appeal within two (2) days from receipt of the notice to the concerned Provincial Election Supervisor or Regional Election Director, in case of the National Capital Region, who shall decide the appeal within two (2) days from receipt thereof, furnishing copies of the decision to the parties and to the Law Department. The decision shall be final and executory.
While unlawful campaign materials in private places shall not be subject of Baklas Operations pursuant to the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court on 1 March 2022, the COMELEC is not precluded from taking the necessary steps to cause their removal as may be allowed by law.
6. Giving or distributing ANYTHING OF VALUE, such as but not limited to T-shirts, bailers, bags, sun visors, hats/ caps, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, ballpens, fans, food and drinks, and transportation during and after a public meeting or campaign sortie is also PROHIBITED.
7. Engaging in an election campaign or partisan political activity EXCEPT DURING CAMPAIGN PERIOD is considered PREMATURE CAMPAIGNING.
8. The candidate and five (5) of his/her campaign staff may wear a T-shirt with the candidate's picture DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD.
9. The distribution in cash or in-kind of any assistance through the Assistance to Individual in Crisis Situations (AICS) IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED from 20 October 2023 up to Election Day, 30 October 2023, except those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, educational, burial, and other similar assistance.
10. All reports of vote-buying and vote-selling must be acted on by the LOCAL COMMITTEES ON KONTRA BIGAY in accordance with COMELEC Resolution No. 10946 for possible filing of petitions for disqualification and election offense cases.
The public is cautioned that violations of COMELEC rules and regulations on unlawful campaign propaganda and premature campaigning may be committed, and penalized accordingly, not only by candidates but by any person.