MANILA: Benhur Abalos, Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, emphasized the importance of adhering to electoral regulations among Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) candidates in Tondo, Manila. His statement came on Friday after participating in the Oplan Baklas initiative, which involves the removal of illegally placed and oversized campaign materials, particularly those hanging from electric posts or wires.
According to a new release by Philippines News Agency, Abalos, alongside Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, conducted the Oplan Baklas drive in Barangay 128, Tondo. The Comelec rules mandate that all BSKE candidates must place their campaign materials, such as tarpaulins, in designated common poster areas. Abalos reiterated the need for BSKE candidates to strictly observe all election laws, rules, and regulations to guarantee the orderly and successful conduct of the elections. "Let us maintain the integrity of the election and give the voters the respect that they deserve," Abalos stated.
The Interior Secretary also highlighted that candidates engaging in activities such as holding bingo games, distributing prizes, employing the 'hakot' system to mass-transport voters, or handing out cash are clear indicators of vote-buying practices. Meanwhile, Garcia noted that out of approximately 1.4 million candidates nationwide, only a small fraction—around 2,000—have been issued show cause orders for illegal campaigning or the use of unauthorized campaign materials.