Dumaguete City: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is calling on local candidates in Negros Oriental to take down their illegal campaign materials or face disqualification in the May 12 elections. Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, the regional election director of Comelec-Negros Island Region (NIR), emphasized the urgency of the situation as the campaign period for local candidates is set to begin on March 28.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castillano stated that candidates have approximately two weeks to remove the illegal materials before Oplan Baklas operations commence. "We have already calendared Oplan Baklas operations on that day and local candidates found to be violating the prohibitions on campaigning will be at risk of disqualification," Castillano said. He expressed concern over the continued disregard for the law by both local and national candidates, who have been found to post or erect campaign materials illegally.

Castillano clarified that while local candidates can currently evade penalties due to the campaign period not yet starting, national candidates can be charged for violating the Omnibus Election Code since their campaign period began on February 11. He noted that Comelec regularly reports to the central office the names of candidates whose campaign materials are found outside of designated areas.

The regional election director highlighted the challenge Comelec faces in removing illegal campaign materials, as they are overwhelmed with preparations for the upcoming elections. "The only way to deal with this perennial problem is to send notices to the candidates warning them of the violations and of possible sanctions for repeated offenses," Castillano said. Although he refrained from naming specific candidates, he confirmed that recommendations have already been made against several violators to the central office.