ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday warned candidates with illegally posted campaign materials will be charged for election offense and will not be proclaimed if they win in their elective bids, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched its “Operation Baklas” against prohibited campaign propaganda.
Garcia led the kick-off the campaign in the City of Manila with other Comelec field officials doing the same all over the country.
“We are doing it to show our determination to take down illegally posted campaign materials as well as those that are made out of not environment-friendly materials,” Garcia said in an interview.
“We are doing this, along with our local Comelec officials, to show all candidates and political parties that if they do this again, we will be there to take them down,” he added.
Garcia said the Comelec will start issuing notices today to candidates that have illegally posted campaign posters and give them three days to remove these. “If they won’t remove them, we will file charges against them,” he said.
He said defiant candidates will be held liable for committing an election offense, while winning bets may face the possibility of not being proclaimed.
“The Comelec won’t hesitate in filing election offense case, which carries 1 to 6 years imprisonment and perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” said Garcia.
“We can also suspend the proclamation or remove them from office if they are found to have violated election laws,” he also said.
Garcia recalled how the Comelec issued 7,500 notices during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), with 253 candidates not being proclaimed.
He said they intend to replicate their actions during the midterm polls.
“If they (candidates) want to suffer the same fate, then don’t take down their (illegal) campaign materials,” he said.
Garcia urged the public to report the presence of illegal campaign materials in their vicinities through official Comelec channels.
“Let us show them that this is a revolution of the voters. Flood the Comelec with pictures so that we can inform our local Comelec personnel,” he encouraged voters.
CAMPAIGN PERIOD DAY 1
Meanwhile, Garcia said the first day of the campaign period for candidates for senator and party-list organizations was deemed as peaceful and orderly.
He said they were able to observe the campaign activities from national bets with no untoward incidents reported.
“The first day was very orderly… relatively, the country was very peaceful,” he said, but added the situation might change once the campaign period for local bets begins on March 28.
“The campaign is not that intense for national candidates. It will change once we reach the campaign period for local bets,” he added.
The campaign period for all candidates in the May 2025 polls is set to end on May 10, 2025.
DISMISSAL FROM SERVICE
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday vowed to impose penalties, including possible dismissal from the service, on any policeman in the active service who will be involved in partisan political activities in the coming elections.
“Any active PNP member proven to be involved in partisan political activities will face sanctions, including possible dismissal, in accordance with existing policies and regulations,” Marbil said as he assured the public that the police force is a professional organization dedicated to upholding the law, safeguarding the communities and ensuring public safety.
“Our duty is to the Filipino people. We are not influenced by political affiliations, and we remain steadfast in ensuring peace, order, and security for all,” he said.
“The public can trust that the PNP will uphold its core values of integrity, service, and fairness at all times,” he added.
Marbil reiterated the police organization will be apolitical and impartial in maintaining peace and order during the elections.
“The PNP stands firm in its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, and service to the Filipino people,” he said. – With Victor Reyes
