WITH the official launch of “Operation Baklas”, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas has made a bold stand in its campaign to clean up the region’s electoral landscape — quite literally. As candidates go full throttle in their campaigns for the upcoming May 12 elections, Comelec’s initiative to remove illegal posters and campaign materials is a necessary, albeit complicated, step toward restoring fairness and order in the election process.
At first glance, “Operation Baklas” may seem like an easy solution to the growing issue of illegal campaign materials that litter streets, sidewalks, and public spaces. After all, with election seasons come the unsolicited onslaught of oversized tarpaulins, posters glued to lamp posts, and banners stapled to fences and trees outside designated poster display areas in blatant disregard of Comelec guidelines. The move to clear these materials is an admirable effort to prevent environmental blight and ensure that campaign strategies are carried out within the bounds of the law.
But will this drive be enough to stem the tide of violations? Despite the strong message the operation sends, the enforcement mechanisms currently in place leave much to be desired.
Penalties for non-compliance, while outlined in election laws, have been historically insufficient to deter repeat offenders. The fines for illegal posters or banners are often so minimal compared to the resources candidates have at their disposal that the financial impact doesn’t faze anyone with deep pockets. Without a clearer deterrent, there is little to prevent candidates from assuming that the cost of fines is simply another item in their campaign budget.
Moreover, the on-the-ground reality of enforcement remains inconsistent. While Comelec promises a more aggressive stance, it’s hard to overlook the uneven implementation of such actions. What happens when campaign teams, well aware of the penalties, simply ignore the rules and leave the clean-up to others, knowing that Comelec’s resources are limited? It’s one thing to launch an operation, but it’s another to ensure that it is thorough and continues throughout the election period, without falling into a cycle of only reactive enforcement.
There is also the issue of who gets targeted. The public is rightfully frustrated when it becomes clear that those with significant political clout often escape the same level of scrutiny as candidates from smaller, less powerful political parties. This selective enforcement undermines the credibility of Operation Baklas and fuels the perception that election laws are not equally applied.
While “Operation Baklas” is a step in the right direction, its success hinges not only on better enforcement, but also on a deeper commitment to transparency and accountability. Comelec must push for stronger penalties, consistent monitoring, and a more impartial approach to enforcement to ensure that all candidates, regardless of status, play by the same rules.
In the end, the real challenge isn’t just cleaning up the streets but cleaning up the political culture. Fairness in elections goes beyond removing illegal campaign materials; it demands an environment where all candidates, big or small, are held accountable to the same standards.
