Comelec launches Nationwide Operation Baklas for BSKE 2023

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia launched the Nationwide Simultaneous Operation Baklas in Barangay 657 and 658 in Intramuros, Manila for the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

In a Facebook interview, Chairman Garcia reminded candidates to follow the Comelec's campaign rules and only place their materials in allowed areas.

“Outside ng common poster areas, illegal na ‘yan. Private property, legal yan basta magcocomply sa 2 x 3,” Garcia said.

“Kitang kita niyo po sa pagtatanggal natin baka masira pa mga kable at kuryente, istorbo sa mga kapitbahay natin na nagkakabit ng kanilang mga kuryente… cable… sa mga kableng yan. Sana po wag natin gagawin ang ganoon. Private property eh, wag po natin gagalawin yun,” he added.

Despite the removal of materials placed in unauthorized areas, Garcia said that there seemed to be no materials that violated the allowable size requirements.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Tina Panganiban-Perez on Friday, the poll body has issued a total of 341 show-cause orders in the first two campaigning days.

Garcia said violators of the campaign rules will be charged.

“Kung ako nga diyan, nabalitaan ko na pupunta dito ang chairman ng Comelec at mga commissioners, dapat nga pinatanggal na nila yan. Pinabayaan pa nila lahat diyan, so ibig sabihin nagma-matigasan tayo dito. Edi sige, patigasan ang labanan, kaso ang haharapin ng bawat isa,” he said.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said that the first two days of the BKSE Campaigning period were generally peaceful and orderly.

“Generally peaceful, maayos at matiwasay naman po ang ibat ibang panig ng bansa batay po sa report natin dun sa unang dalawang araw ng kampanya, bagama’t meron po kaming na-subject sa Operation Baklas, pero iilan-ilan lang po ito at karamihan naman po ng mga kandidato natin ay totoong responsableng kandidato po at sumusunod po sa mga alituntunin natin pang-halalan,” Laudiangco said.

He reminded candidates that the allowable sizes for election materials were 8.5 x 14 inches for flyers, 2 x 3 feet for tarpaulins, and 3 x 8 feet for streamers.

These materials may only be displayed in common posting areas.

The Comelec Task Force Anti-Epal meanwhile was ready to look into illegal campaigning activities throughout the election period.

“Ang atin pong Task Force Anti-Epal, sila po ang tumututok po na committee naming patungkol sa premature campaigning at early campaigning at ngayon nga po na pumasok na ang campaign period, pati po ang illegal campaigning at illegal campaign material,” Laudiangco said.— DVM, GMA Integrated News