spot_img
27.8 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Oplan Baklas’ to continue amid TRO—Comelec

- Advertisement -

The Commission on Elections will continue its “Operation Baklas” or removal of illegal campaign materials even after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order, saying only the dismantling operation on private properties had been suspended.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the poll body could not take action on posters in private properties following the TRO issued by the SC.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez echoed Garcia’s statement, claiming that Oplan Baklas would continue only in public places.

“We will respect private materials in private properties that are covered by the TRO. Campaign posters posted in private properties should be outside of the Comelec’s regulation,” Garcia said.

“Private property should be outside the regulation of the Comelec, I always believe that private property should be guaranteed and cannot be violated without due process,” he added.

- Advertisement -

Earlier, the SC issued a TRO against the Comelec’s “Operation Baklas” campaign to dismantle illegal election posters.
“In the meantime, we will have to abide by the Supreme Court’s restraining order,” Garcia said.

Jimenez said the poll body would continue removing illegal campaign materials in areas only within their authority, and no longer in private properties.

“We will halt operations in the areas being enjoined in the petition. Not all areas are enjoined. The taking down of oversized posters in areas that are clearly within the authority of the Comelec, which are the public spaces, must continue,” Jimenez added.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles