Comelec intensifies “Oplan Baklas” campaign
LINGAYEN—No candidate will be spared.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office has intensified its “Oplan Baklas”, removing campaign materials placed outside the Comelec-designated common poster areas, with the help of the provincial government, local government units and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Atty. Reddy Balarbar, provincial election supervisor, told local newsmen that Oplan Baklas expand into a “shame campaign” against candidates for the May 10 elections who will continue to indiscriminately post campaign materials just about anywhere.
“Let’s see who among the candidates will win by being the most ‘pasaway’ for having the most number of posters hung in places outside of designated common poster areas,” Balarbar said.
A task force has been created by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to report weekly to the media who among the national and local candidates are among the ‘pasaway’.
Balarbar earlier wrote to Espino about the flagrant violation of rules on posting of campaign materials.
“Aside from being manifestly a violation of election laws, it has become an eyesore and environmentally disastrous,” Balarbar said in his letter.
Orpheus Velasco, provincial information officer, said with the help of the local media, the public would know which candidates had the most number of campaign materials torn down the previous week.
“The governor means well. He said no one is exempted, including himself in this Oplan Baklas campaign,” Velasco said.
On February 12, Espino also wrote a letter to all city and municipal mayors calling on them to observe and help implement the rules and regulations relating to election campaign materials.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources provincial office, Department of Public Works and Highways and electric cooperatives have been tasked to remove all propaganda materials posted on trees, electric posts and bridges and other government infrastructure projects.
Balarbar stressed that designated common poster areas are normally located along town plazas, barangay centers, and public markets. He added that residential houses can be used by the candidates with the consent of the owners. Poster sizes must not exceed two feet by three feet.
Billboards and posters that show candidates endorsing products will be removed as well.#
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