‘Operation Baklas’ starts in Metro Manila
A WEEK after the start of the campaign period for the May 9 synchronized national and local polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday started taking down posters, tarpaulins, and billboards in Metro Manila that violate guidelines on campaign materials.
Elections spokesman James Jimenez said first to be peeled off were oversized campaign materials and those which were posted outside of Comelec-designated common areas in Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Pasig, and Caloocan.
“We are out here today to actually go through the streets of the city to make sure there is compliance with our campaign materials posting and sizes of printed propaganda materials,” said Jimenez, adding: “This is a region-wide activity so this will be all over NCR. There will be more of these events in the next few days.”
Jimenez said “Operation Baklas” in the National Capital Region (NCR) is not just a one-time activity.
The campaign period for national candidates started last February 8.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10730, campaign materials cannot be displayed outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner.
Public places include publicly-owned electronic announcement boards located along highways and streets, motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and for other similar purposes, particularly those bearing government license plates; public transport vehicles owned and controlled by the government such as the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Philippine National Railway (PNR) trains; as well as waiting sheds, sidewalks, street and lamp posts, electric posts and wires, traffic signages and other signboards erected on public property, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, flyovers and underpasses, bridges, main thoroughfares, center islands of roads and highways.
The Comelec rules also provide that the size of pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers, or other written or printed materials must not exceed 8 1/2 inches in width and 14 inches in length.
Similarly, cloth, paper, or cardboard posters cannot be bigger than two feet by three feet.
IN-PERSON CAMPAIGN
As the crackdown on prohibited campaign materials kicked off, acting Comelec Chairman Socorro Inting said they are open to the possibility of modifying the poll body’s guidelines on in-person campaigning.
“There is a possibility that we will be downgraded to Alert Level 1. So, maybe we will review our rules soon for the campaign to be consistent with the alert level,” said Inting.
She said this will make Comelec in step with the improvement in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.
“When we adopted our rules, the alert level was still at Alert Level 3 (or) Alert Level 2,” Inting said, but acknowledged that the review is in light of the complaints of some candidates.
“We are aware of these complaints of some candidates. Maybe we will review our rules,” said the acting poll chief.
The statement of Inting comes just a day after the poll body warned candidates they could be slapped with charges over their non-compliance to in-person campaign guidelines.
“It has been brought to our attention that several campaign sorties conducted since the campaign period started have not been compliant with the mandatory face mask and face shield policy, as well as the strict physical distancing requirements,” Jimenez said.
“Having said that, the Comelec reiterates that violations of the physical campaign guidelines are being strictly monitored by the respective campaign committees in every locality,” he also said.
Election campaign activities are those that involve physical or personal interaction, such as in-person campaigns, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance.
During such activities, the Comelec requires everyone to wear full-coverage face shields, together with face masks, whether ear loop masks, indigenous reusable masks, do-it-yourself masks, or other facial protective equipment, with the minimum public health standards observed at all times.
On the other hand, the Comelec has also banned handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public; and taking selfies, photographs, and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public.
Not a few candidates have expressed their opposition to the prohibition on traditional campaign activities, particularly in taking selfies.
Several candidates’ campaign sorties and proclamation rallies also saw visible violations of the physical distancing requirements.
Manila mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer Isko Moreno said he will continue shaking hands with his supporters despite a warning from the Comelec and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“They are entitled to do what they have to do. Basta ako doon na ako sa taumbayan muna,” Moreno told reporters.
Moreno said reaching out to the public is the most important thing as it is what the government should do. — With Ashzel Hachero
