BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
Baguio City election officials removed more than 600 campaign posters on the first day of the local campaign period, enforcing regulations on proper poster placement.
Some of the materials taken down were from candidates running for local positions.
On Friday, March 28, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Baguio conducted another round of “Operation Baklas” to clear illegally placed campaign materials.
COMELEC personnel, led by Baguio Election Officer Atty. John Paul Martin and Comelec Cordillera Regional Director Atty. Julius Torres, inspected several areas, starting with Military Cut-Off, where campaign stickers were found and removed using scissors.
At Camp 8 along Kennon Road, they encountered a fence nearly covered with campaign posters.
The team wasted no time in removing them.
However, they did not take down materials placed on private properties, including those posted on the residence of Abe Abuan.
Despite this, Abuan was displeased with how the posters were put up.
“They asked for permission, but I told them to at least arrange them properly. Now, they’re just overlapping each other,” he said.
Atty. Martin acknowledged that many candidates and their teams continued to disregard campaign regulations despite repeated reminders.
“The designated posting areas set by COMELEC are within the vicinity of the barangay hall. Candidates should set up structures there for their posters instead of sticking them directly on the barangay hall,” Martin explained.
Atty. Torres emphasized the importance of enforcing fair election rules, even though removing illegal posters takes considerable effort.
“This operation is meant to show candidates that COMELEC is serious about implementing the Fair Elections Act. As you can see, it took us about two hours on the road, and we collected a huge number of posters,” Torres said.
COMELEC also noted that many of the removed campaign materials were made of single-use plastic, violating the commission’s directive to use biodegradable materials.
“Some of these tarpaulins and plastic posters can still be recycled. However, we need clearer guidelines on this. For now, the basic rule is that campaign materials should be recyclable,” Torres added.
Based on COMELEC Baguio’s records, a total of 655 posters were removed during the operation—423 from party-list groups, 123 from senatorial candidates, and 109 from local candidates.
Local candidates found violating the posting regulations will initially receive a warning.
If they continue to post materials in unauthorized areas, COMELEC will issue a notice giving them three days to remove the posters.
Failure to comply may result in a showcause order, which could escalate to a disqualification case.
Aside from regulating campaign materials, the COMELEC also reminded candidates to observe Baguio’s “Silent Night Ordinance” amid the growing number of campaign-related activities.
“If you’re trying to court voters but end up disturbing them with noise, what do you think will happen?” Martin remarked.
COMELEC is also monitoring other forms of campaigning, particularly on social media, as the election season progresses.
