Comelec starts ‘Operation Baklas’ against illegal campaign materials

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confiscated hundreds of illegal campaign materials Friday as the poll body launched the first day of “Operation Baklas” against election violators ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

The nationwide effort, which will run until Oct. 27, will remove campaign materials put up outside designated common poster areas and those that exceed two by three feet.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia reminded BSKE candidates to strictly adhere to Comelec’s rules and regulations regarding campaign materials to avoid any problems.

He said the number of BSKE candidates who are facing allegations of premature campaigning is now nearing 4,000.

The Comelec also said that campaign materials should also not be offensive, or violate gender sensitivity principles, or rules against obscenity and discrimination. They must also bear the words “political advertisement aid for / by” or the words “printed free of charge.”

“Candidates are also prohibited from distributing items such as t-shirts, ballers, bags, caps, and other items,” he added.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Friday urged the 1.9 million government employees across the country to refrain from participating in electioneering and partisan activities, as the BSKE candidates campaign from Oct. 19 to 28.

Electioneering and partisan political activity refer to acts designed to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or party to public office.

In a statement, CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said the 1987 Constitution mandates that no officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in these acts, while the same prohibition can be found in the CSC – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Joint Circular No. 1, series of 2016 promulgated on March 29, 2016.

“The commission acknowledges civil servants’ shared desire to contribute to improved public service delivery through electoral participation. However, we must remain mindful not to engage in electioneering or partisan activities during this period. This precautionary measure underscores our commitment to maintaining the integrity and neutrality of the public