ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a reminder to all candidates in yesterday’s midterm elections: remove your campaign materials within five days after the polls — or risk facing penalties for violating election and local environmental regulations.
According to Iloilo City election officer Atty. Pinky Tentativa, Comelec will no longer conduct any post-election “Operation Baklas” or dismantling operations. Instead, the responsibility now lies solely with the candidates and their campaign teams.
“Wala na kita may gina-expect nga ‘Operation Baklas’ sang Comelec after election. Under the Comelec resolution, dapat ang candidates ang mang-baklas sang ila campaign materials within five days after sang election period,” said Tentativa in an interview.
She emphasized that the directive, anchored in Comelec resolutions, applies to both winning and losing candidates.
All posters, tarpaulins, and similar paraphernalia must be taken down not just out of legal duty, but out of courtesy to the public and the communities affected by visual and physical clutter.
Failure to comply may result in sanctions for violating election laws and local cleanliness ordinances. Local government units may intervene to remove remaining materials, but this does not absolve candidates of accountability.
The election period officially ends on May 17 — the final day candidates are allowed to clean up their campaign materials. Comelec Iloilo City is currently monitoring compliance and has coordinated with barangays to report any violations./PN