• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Commission on Elections in Bacolod said there will be a synchronized nationwide Baklas Operation on March 28, to remove tarpaulins, posters, banners, and all illegal campaign materials posted by supporters of local and national candidates in the May 12 polls.
The activity will coincide with the start of the 45-day campaign period for those running for governor, vice governor, board member, mayor, vice mayor, town or city councilor, and in the House of Representatives.
Illegal campaign materials to be removed include those posted outside of common poster areas; in public places where the posting of campaign materials is prohibited; those oversized campaign materials; or those not made of cloth, paper, cardboard, or any recyclable material, the Comelec advisory said.
The Comelec-Negros Island Region earlier identified more than 100 areas across Bacolod City where legal campaign materials can be posted, displayed, or exhibited during the campaign period.
Identified common areas include places beside barangay halls and tanod outposts, plazas, basketball and covered courts, gymnasiums, parks, vacant lots, perimeter fences, entrance of residential subdivisions, in front of churches and police stations, and street corners, as per an earlier PNA report.
Section 8 of Comelec Resolution 11086, or the rules and regulations implementing Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Election Act, states that it is unlawful to display any election campaign or propaganda material outside of authorized common poster areas, in public places, or in private properties without the consent of the owner.
Public places include 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 island of roads and highways;
Schools, public shrines, barangay halls, government offices, health centers, public structures and buildings; within the premises of public transport terminals owned and controlled by the government, such as bus terminals, airports, seaports, docks, piers, train stations and the like; and motor vehicles used as patrol cars, ambulances, and for other similar purposes, owned by LGUs and government agencies, particularly those bearing government license plates, among others. | CGC
