THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), have removed eight truckloads of illegally-posted election campaign materials since February this year.
MMDA chairperson Romando Artes said the agency, together with the Comelec, Philippine National Police, and the Department of Public Works and Highways will continue the campaign with just two more weeks left before the May 12 national and local elections.
“Umabot na sa walong truckload ang nahakot sa regular na pagsasagawa ng ‘Oplan Baklas’ sa Metro Manila mula noong Pebrero (Eight truckloads of campaign materials have been removed as part of our Oplan Baklas campaign in Metro Manila since February),” Artes said.
Comelec rules prohibit the posting of campaign materials in trees, walls, electrical posts, and other public infrastructures and structures and other non-designated poster areas.
“Layunin ng operasyon ng Comelec kasama ang MMDA, PNP, at DPWH na linisin ang mga pampublikong lugar mula sa mga poster at tarpaulin na labag sa mga alituntunin ng komisyon (The goal of the operation of the Comelec, together with the MMDA, PNP, and DPWH is to rid public places of illegally posted campaign posters and tarpaulins),” Artes said.
“Sa mga nakaraang ulat, marami ang hindi sumunod sa mga regulasyon ukol sa sukat at lokasyon ng kanilang mga campaign materials (Based on information we gathered, there are many candidates who continue to defy election regulations regarding the size and locations where they can put up their campaign materials),” he added.
The MMDA has deployed 500 personnel in the 17 local government units in Metro Manila to take down illegally posted campaign materials such as posters and tarpaulins.
