By JEN BAYLON
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will initiate “Operation Baklas,” which aims to remove campaign posters illegally displayed in public places, as the campaign period for national candidates and party-lists in the midterm elections starts today.
Ian Lee Ananoria, Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor, said the Comelec head office has instructed all its field offices nationwide to conduct the operation.
The crackdown targets campaign posters placed on electric posts and trees on government-owned facilities along the national highways or outside the common poster areas.
However, materials on private properties are exempt from removal.
Ananoria appealed to candidates not to place their campaign posters on trees, as they are considered “environmentally unsound” or not good for the environment.
He said Operation Baklas will be spearheaded by local election officers, with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and Highways and representatives from the local prosecutors’ office.
Under the Comelec Resolution No. 11086, or the Omnibus Election Code, poll aspirants are advised to use lawful election propaganda during the campaign period, such as:
* Printed materials like pamphlets and leaflets not exceeding 8.5 inches wide and 14 inches high
* Printed or handwritten letters and posters made from cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable material not exceeding two feet by three feet
* Streamers not exceeding three feet by eight feet (must be shown five days before a rally in a certain place, and must be taken down 24 hours after)
* Paid printed advertisement and broadcast media under the requirements of Section 11 of Comelec Resolution No. 11086 and the Fair Elections Act
* Static light-emitting diode (LED) billboards owned by private entities or individuals, mobile or transit advertisements on public transportation under the condition that they follow the guidelines of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for commercial advertisements
* Signboards not exceeding three feet by eight feet posted in the candidates’ headquarters and other election propaganda not prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code
Ananoria said the Comelec will send notices to violators, giving them a chance to voluntarily remove their posters.
If candidates fail to comply, the poll body and government agencies will proceed with the removal.
Ananoria said the local version of Operation Baklas for local candidates is scheduled for March 28, which coincides with the start of the campaign period for local candidates.
Covenant signing, security briefing
In efforts to ensure a peaceful electoral process, Negros Occidental is set to host a peace covenant signing ceremony at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) on Thursday, February 13.
All local candidates are invited to participate in the event, which will be followed by a unity walk on February 20.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Joint Security Control Center will convene on February 18, to address security concerns and identify election hotspots ahead of the May 12 midterm elections.
Ananoria said the meeting aims to resolve any misunderstandings in classifying areas of concern in the polls.
“Hopefully, ma-thresh out man namon amon differences kay sa Comelec head office, yellow kag orange categories, and kami ‘ya sa police, green category. The agenda is to thresh out ano ang natabo and to come up with the common stand on the matter,” Ananoria said.
The collaborative approach aims to align national assessments with local perspectives for effective security planning.
Earlier, the Comelec categorized the towns of Isabela and San Enrique in Negros Occidental under the yellow category due to potential political tensions.
Sipalay City as well as the municipalities of Calatrava and Cauayan were under the orange category due to more serious poll-related threats.
Despite these classifications, overall provincial security remains under control./JB, WDJ