Comelec to crack down on illegal campaign materials, vote-buying

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to strictly implement regulations on campaign materials under "Operation Baklas" as the official campaign period for nationally elected positions in Eleksyon 2025 begins on Tuesday, February 11.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized that local Comelec offices will actively remove campaign materials that do not comply with size limitations or are posted in unauthorized public spaces.

“Meron kaming mga Operation Baklas. Mga local Comelec natin ay magco-conduct lagi ng pagtatangal ng mga campaign materials upang masigurado na susunod sila sa size limitation, doon lang sila pwedeng maglagay sa mga public places na ina-allow natin. Pero yung private properties hindi namin pwedeng galawin,” Garcia said in Vonne Aquino's Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report.

(We have Operation Baklas. Our local Comelec offices will remove campaign materials to ensure compliance with size limitations. These materials can only be placed in designated public areas. However, we cannot touch anything posted on private property.)

The Comelec will also implement tighter measures against vote-buying and vote-selling. Citizens can report incidents—including photos or videos—to the Committee on Kontra-Bigay.

Garcia explained that Comelec would presume a candidate is involved in vote-buying if suspicious activities occur near their residence or headquarters.

“[Kung] yung bahay ni mayor may mahabang-mahabang pila paglabas may dalang plastic na kung ano-ano, ipe-presume naming si Mayor engaged sa vote-buying. We have to make presumptions. It's up to them to defend themselves,” he said.

(If a mayor’s house has long queues, and people leave carrying bags of goods, we will presume the mayor is engaged in vote-buying. We have to make presumptions. It’s up to them to defend themselves.)

In such cases, Comelec will issue a show cause order, requiring the candidate to explain why they should not be disqualified or charged with an election offense. The commission will also monitor potential vote-buying through e-wallet platforms.

“Naka-monitor kasi. Kaya naman ng mga platform na i-monitor yan. Saan ka naman nakakita dalawang araw bago ang eleksyon nagpapadala ng mga 300, 400, 500 tao medyo doon napaka unusual yun,” Garcia noted.

(Platforms can track such transactions. Isn’t it unusual that, just two days before the election, people suddenly receive P300, P400, or P500?)

Vote-buying and vote-selling are considered election offenses, and individuals caught engaging in these activities can be arrested without a warrant.

Additionally, ten days before the election, the distribution of financial aid or ayuda will be prohibited. Under Comelec Resolution 11104, this act could be considered an abuse of state resources, especially if done by government officials.

These issues were among the key topics discussed in the "GMA Masterclass: Road to the 2025 Elections," a briefing organized as part of GMA Integrated News’ election preparations.

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) highlighted a critical observation from past elections: "If you have more than two watchers per polling place, you are presumed to be committing vote buying. Hindi pa po namin yan nakitang implemented (we have not yet seen this rule strictly enforced), and we hope to see that implemented in the May 2025 national, local elections. Because that's one-way politicians and their candidates skirt over this election offense of vote buying," said LENTE Executive Director Attorney Ona Caritos.

Meanwhile, GMA Integrated News Research presented key data from previous elections to provide context for the 2025 coverage.

"Much is at stake this May, and we will do our best—with the help of our partners and friends—to live up to our commitment to an honest and truthful election coverage. With stories we write, with the content we produce for all Filipinos, for the Philippines, dapat totoo," said Oliver Victor B. Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, GMA Regional TV, and Synergy. — Sherylin Untalan/DVM, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.