The Commission on Elections said Monday it was open to reviewing the guidelines on posting election paraphernalia after netizens and supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo criticized the poll body's move to remove campaign posters in private properties.
"Naiintindihan natin na marami ngang nagrereklamo so ang Comelec ay bukas naman ang pintuan namin sa mga ganyang klaseng opinyon at willing naman kaming pag-aralan ulit yung polisiya na ito," said the poll body's spokesperson James Jimenez of "Oplan Baklas" during the Laging Handa public briefing.
According to Jimenez, regular election paraphernalia, such as campaign posters of candidates, can be regulated regardless of where they are posted.
"Kung ang ginagawa mo lang ay pino-post mo lang yung campaign poster ng kandidato, ibang usapan yan, that's just simple political campaigning at ayon sa Supreme Court, pwedeng i-regulate yan," he said, in an apparent reference to the ruling on Diocese of Bacolod vs. Comelec.
"Pero kunwari, nagpagawa ka ng sarili mong banner at nagpahayag ka ng sarili mong adbokasiya, and in the process nabanggit mo yung pangalan ng kandidato, maaaring makalusot pa yan dahil adbokasiya mo yan," he added.
Three former Comelec commissioners earlier said the poll body cannot just take down posters from private property without permission.
Jimenez assured the public that Comelec officials first ask the owner of the private property for permission before taking down the oversized campaign posters within their vicinity.
"In a lot of cases, yung property owner mismo ang nagsasabi na 'Sige, kayo na magbaklas.' So hinahayaan na yung aming Comelec officials na magbaklas para sa kanila, pero always with consent," he said.
Despite the criticisms, Jimenez said the poll body would continue its "Oplan Baklas" for campaign posters that are posted in restricted areas.
"Hindi naman yung kabuuan ng Operation Baklas ang kontrobersyal, doon lang sa involved ang private property. But for the streets, yung mga nasa public spaces, yung nakakakabit sa kawad ng kuryente, tuloy kaming magbabaklas," he said.
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