30 candidates, including Senate bet, risk DQ over illegal posters

Metro Manila, Philippines - Around 30 candidates — possibly including a senatorial bet — risk disqualification for allegedly refusing to remove illegal campaign materials, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday, May 6.

This is part of the poll body’s intensified crackdown on oversized and non-environmentally friendly campaign materials, as well as those posted in unauthorized areas, under its program “Oplan Baklas.”

Comelec personnel themselves took down the posters at the beginning of the campaign period. The poll body later issued notices directing candidates to remove the illegal materials to avoid disqualification.

“Kung di ako nagkakamali, mga tatlumpu hanggang talumpu’t limang katao ang kakasuhan ng Task Force Baklas officially ng kaso dahil sa hindi nila pagtatanggal ng mga campaign materials na ni-require ng task force na tanggalin,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in a chance interview at the National Printing Office in Quezon City.

“Despite several notice at pakiusap, hindi pa rin nila tinanggal,” he said.

“Mayroon isang – kung hindi ako nagkakamali – senatorial candidate,” he added.

[Translation: If I’m not mistaken, around 30 to 35 candidates will officially face charges from Task Force Baklas for failing to remove campaign materials that the task force ordered to be taken down. Despite several notices and appeals, they still refused to comply. There is one, if I'm not mistaken, senatorial candidate.]

In addition to illegal campaign materials, the poll body has issued show-cause orders and disqualification petitions against local and national candidates for various offenses, including vote buying and violations of anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines.