Over 5,000 illegal campaign materials were taken down in two key cities in Western Visayas. 

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Iloilo City removed a total of 123 illegal campaign materials on Friday, March 28, 2025, during the first day of the local campaign period.

The campaign materials violated COMELEC laws for being posted or hung in non-COMELEC designated common poster areas, while others were oversized.

“Paalala lang na ang mga campaign materials, ilagay lang sa COMELEC common poster area. I-follow natin ang correct size and indication ng poster na iyan ay binayaran. Ang hindi susunod, they could be held liable for violation of Fair Elections Act,” COMELEC-Iloilo City Head, Atty. Pinky Jevini Tentativa said.

Despite the ongoing “Operation Baklas,” campaign posters were posted illegally again such as in Barangay Tacas, Jaro District. However, COMELEC vowed that the operation will continue in the succeeding weeks leading to the May 2025 midterm elections.

In Bacolod City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a few departments of the Local Government Unit participated in the “Operation Baklas” on March 28, 2025.

Since the start of the campaign period on February 11, 2025 for national candidates, illegally posted campaign materials removed in the city already reached over 5,000 pieces.

“We ask that our candidates be responsible sa kanilang supporters. Mag-abide sa ating regulations at mag-avoid sa hindi nararapat na gawain,” said Atty. Revo Sorbito, election officer of COMELEC Bacolod.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) 6 reminded schools to strictly prohibit partisan activities in moving-up exercises and graduation ceremonies set on April 14-15, 2025 in public schools.

“Kung gagamitin sa pangangampanya, let’s say pumunta siya for campaign lang na purpose, it is a violation,” DepEd 6 Spokesperson Hernani Escullar, Jr. said.