If the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is to be asked, they would prefer to pursue the threat of filing a lawsuit against them regarding their implementation of regulation during this campaign period, specifically the controversial Oplan Baklas.
The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo has threatened to file a lawsuit with the Comelec after it dismantled its campaign posters in some parts of the country that allegedly did not follow the correct size and were also placed in the wrong places.
“Maganda po iyon. Tuloy na lang po nila para malinaw din iyong isyu. Kasi, ang sa amin po, mayroong operational guidelines din naman kami. So kung, again, sabi ko nga, bukas ang Comelec sa pagri-reevaluate ng guidelines na iyan… Kung gusto nilang magkaso, that is perfectly well within their rights po,” said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.
On the other hand, Jimenez reiterated that their rule covers private properties where campaign posters are placed.
“Base sa aming interpretasyon ng batas at ng Supreme Court jurisprudence puwede nating i-regulate pagdating sa private property iyong sukat lamang, hindi iyong paglalagay or iyong dami ng ilalagay. So, basically sukat lang talaga two feet by three feet. Iyon lang naman ang nagiging basehan natin,” said Jimenez.
Comelec ready to face charges due to ‘Oplan Baklas’
“Agree naman po ako na hindi talaga puwedeng basta-basta magbaklas. Kaya nga po ang polisiya ng Comelec at ang ginagawa ng ating officers ay nagpapaalam muna,” the official added.
For now, the implementation of Oplan Baklas is still going on.
Last week, the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) had warned members who will remove candidates’ posters even with “Oplan Baklas” against allegedly “illegal” election materials – because they are not authorized to do so.
In addition, the Comelec and PNP cannot enter the house, office, or any private property without a search warrant from the judge without permission or consent.
Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez had earlier said that only election materials produced by candidates or parties could be removed under Comelec Resolution 10730.
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