Posters, tarpaulins and other campaign materials of Imee Marcos, Juan Ponce Enrile, members of the opposition block Ocho Diretso. partylist groups and local officials filled the truck of the Mandaue City Elections Office during its "Oplan Baklas" conducted on March 8 and 9.
Personnel from the Mandaue City Elections Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the local police conducted the removal of illegally-posted campaign materials starting Friday afternoon, March 8 and for the whole day of Saturday, March 9.
Majority of those removed were posted in places not considered as “common posting areas” such as electrical posts and trees.
Jacqueline Reuyan, Mandaue City assistant election officer, said aside from those posted in areas considered as non-common posting areas, some campaign materials were removed after they were found to be oversized.
Aside from the senatorial candidates, partylist groups ICare, 1-Pacman, PBA, among others were also removed.
These were mostly found along the highway in Barangays Jagobiao, Basak, Alang-Alang, Umapad and Paknaan.
Reuyan admitted there are still a lot of illegally-posted campaign materials but they couldn’t remove them all because it will take them until late evening to finish.
Because of this, Reuyan urged aspiring candidates and their supporters to proactively remove their campaign materials posted in prohibited areas. Reuyan said those who violated were already sent letters as early as Feb. 12 to correct their mistake but only a few heeded their call.
The campaign period for local candidates will start on March 29 and Reuyan called on local candidates to similarly do the same thing and remove illegally posted materials.
Lawyer Anna Fleur Gujilde, Mandaue City Election Officer, said they will conduct another series of "Oplan Baklas" on April. (From FMD of Superbalita Cebu/JKV)