The Commission on Elections (Comelec) revisits its “Oplan Baklas” policies after groups and individuals complained of its implementation.
“We have Comelec commissioners looking at the issue already so if anyone else has… you know there has been significant push back right? Nakita natin na may mga legal expert na may sinasabi tungkol dito sa polisiyang sinusunod natin, kung makapagsubmit sila ng mga written position paper nila, that could be one way to start the discussion pero internally sa Comelec, nirereview na rin namin,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
(We see that some legal experts have their sentiments on our policy, so if they could submit a written position paper, that could be one way to start the discussion, but internally, Comelec is reviewing the procedure already.)
“The Comelec is not deaf naman eh to the public, right? And if the public is raising a clamor as to what they’re doing now, then we’re not adverse to looking at our rules again,” he added.
Jimenez added that Comelec would specifically review the rules and regulations of the Fair Elections Act or its Sections 22 to 29.
However, Jimenez said that their office had not received any complaint about “Oplan Baklas” as of this writing.
Comelec reviewing rules of ‘Oplan Baklas’ – Jimenez
Different groups opposed Commission on Elections’ “Oplan Baklas,” wherein campaign posters were taken down and confiscated even if placed in private properties.
They called such a move “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional.”
“We implore the honorable Commission on Elections to order its election officers and employees to cease and desist from illegally removing and confiscating campaign materials and paraphernalia owned, posted, and installed by private citizens and volunteers in their private property, such as those installed in volunteers’ headquarters,” the groups said in a statement.
Women Lawyers for Leni, Lawyers Against Disinformation, Filipino American Human Rights Alliance, Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan and Now You Vote made the call to stop “Oplan Baklas.”
The Comelec rules that the size of campaign posters should only be 2 feet by 3 feet.
Jimenez clarified that election campaign posters should not be removed without prior consent.
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