by Hilda Austria/PNA
DAGUPAN CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices in Pangasinan are set to remove campaign posters and leaflets of national candidates that are beyond the required size and placed on prohibited areas or structures on February 26.
Provincial election supervisor lawyer Alipio Alfonzo Castillo III said the activity called ‘Oplan Baklas’ is in cooperation with national government agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police, and non-government organizations like the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, as well as the media.
“We will be cleaning the main thoroughfares of illegal posters of national candidates not because of Comelec’s prerogative but because it is mandated by the law,” Castillo said in an interview Friday.
He added the activity will be conducted simultaneously all over the province.
Under the law, Castillo said the posters should not be bigger than 2 x 3 feet or 3 x 2 feet, and should be placed in private properties or the designated common poster area.
“Although the campaign posters of local candidates are not yet subject to this ‘Oplan Baklas’, those that are nailed or placed on a tree will be removed as well as per the order of the DENR. We will also remove those that are violating an ordinance in their respective towns or cities,” he said.
Castillo is urging the candidates or their supporters to voluntarily remove the illegal campaign posters prior to their clean-up drive on February 26.
“We sent them notices, asking them to voluntarily take down their campaign posters that are prohibited by the law,” he said. coomeomel
