BACOLOD City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will launch its nationwide “Oplan Baklas” on Friday, March 28, coinciding with the official start of the local campaign period for the May 12 midterm elections.
Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, director of Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR), said their operation in the region will focus on removing campaign materials mounted in unauthorized locations such as utility poles, trees, and government facilities.
“Both national and local candidates are subject to these regulations. Each municipality and city will conduct Oplan Baklas on Friday, the start of the campaign period for local candidates… Specifically, those on utility poles, trees, those are what we are targeting,” Castillano said.
Castillano also issued a stern warning to barangay captains to remove campaign materials posted in barangay halls as using government properties for political campaigns is prohibited by law.
“I would like to appeal to barangay captains that the campaign materials in barangay halls should be removed because it is prohibited to use government facilities for campaigns. They may be the custodians of the barangay hall, but if they allow those campaign materials in the barangay hall they will be held accountable,” said Castillano.
He further emphasized: “If they are allowing the use of government facilities for partisan political activities or campaigning, that is an election offense… even if they are not candidates. It is a criminal offense and the accessory penalty would be perpetual disqualification from public office. So I hope our barangay captains will comply.”
Castillano however clarified that private properties are exempted from Comelec regulations provided the campaign materials have the owner’s consent, regardless of the size.
“In the case of the Archdiocese of Bacolod versus Comelec, the Supreme Court already held that private property is beyond the regulation of the Commission on Elections. On private property, no matter how large, whether oversized or not, as long as it is on a private property with the consent of the owners, it is allowed,” he explained.
Furthermore, Castillano reminded candidates that government funds cannot be used for campaigning.
“You cannot use government funds to promote your candidacy. To equalize the candidates, it cannot be used, except for exemptions by Comelec such as TUPAD, AICS, AKAP and 4Ps. Government vehicles are also prohibited from being used as that is an abuse of state resources,” the Comelec-NIR director added.
The Comelec urged candidates and their supporters to comply with the aforementioned regulations voluntarily to avoid penalties as the campaign season officially begins. (Watchmen Daily Journal)/PN
