Tinanggal ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang mga labag sa batas na materyales sa halalan sa paglulunsad ng “Operation Baklas” sa National Capital Region noong Miyerkules, Pebrero 16.
Sinakop ng “Operation Baklas” ang mga lugar sa NCR kabilang ang Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Pasig City at Caloocan.
“Comelec are out here in force today to actually to go through the streets of the city to actually make sure there is compliance with our campaign materials posting…and sizes of printed propaganda materials,” sabi ni Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez.
“The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are here as well and they will be our very invaluable partners in what we are doing,” dagdag nito.
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“This is a region wide activity so this will be all over NCR… there will be more of these events in the next few days,” sabi ni Jimenez.
Nagkabisa ang mga patakaran simulanoong Peb. 8, ang simula ng panahon ng kampanya para sa mga pambansang kandidato.
Samantala, sinabi ni election lawyer Romulo Macalintal na walang kapangyarihan ang Comelec na tanggalin ang mga campaign materials na ipinost ng mga hindi kandidato sa kanilang mga pribadong ari-arian kahit na ang naturang mga materyales ay hindi sumusunod sa sukat na itinakda ng poll body, nang walang abiso at pagdinig o hindi binibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na marinig.
“The said campaign materials are properties of the owners and they cannot be deprived of their constitutional right to use it without due process,” ani Macalintal.
“Hence, the Comelec should immediately stop tearing down alleged oversized campaign materials posted on private properties with the consent of the owners who are non-candidates, without notice and hearing,” dagdag nito.
Aniya, ang Seksyon 9 ng Republic Act No. 9006 na nauukol sa kapangyarihan ng Comelec na i-regulate ang paglalagay ng campaign materials ay “maaangkop lamang sa mga kandidato at partido pulitikal” na kinatigan ng Korte Suprema sa 2015 na kaso ng Diocese of Bacolod vs Comelec.
Ang posisyon ng Comelec na ang kaso ng Diocese of Bacolod ay nauukol lamang sa “campaign materials about advocacies,” sabi ni Macalintal, ay misleading dahil ang desisyon ng SC ay hindi ginawang pro hac vice (para sa kasong iyon lamang).
“The doctrines laid down by the SC in that case are applicable in all issues pertaining to a non-candidates’ right to use their own private properties in the exercise of their right of free expression,” ani Macalintal.
“In a word, the SC said that the Comelec does not have the authority to regulate enjoyment of the preferred right to freedom of expression exercised by a non-candidate,” dagdag niya.
“Hence, non-candidates may challenge, refuse or should not allow anyone to remove their alleged oversized campaign materials posted on their own private properties without being given the opportunity to be heard since the size of said posters does not at all affect anyone’s constitutional rights nor does it endanger any state interest,” sabi ni Macalintal.
Leslie Ann Aquino
