Close to 500 campaign materials were removed through "Operation Baklas" in the Cities of Bacolod and Iloilo. 

At least 133 unlawful campaign posters of candidates in national elective posts and party-list groups were removed in Iloilo City.

Commission on Elections (COMELEC)'s nationwide, synchronized Operation Baklas was carried out on the first day of the campaign period for national candidates on February 11, 2025.

Campaign materials in places not designated by the COMELEC as common poster areas were removed.

At Jaro Plaza, though, it was observed that despite being designated as a common poster area, nine of 10 tarpaulins of a senatorial candidate was removed. COMELEC-Iloilo City pointed out that a candidate is allowed one tarpaulin only, according to election laws. But posters of another senatorial candidate were all removed because the donor of the posters was not indicated on the tarpaulin. 

“Ayon sa batas, isa lang ang dapat niyang ilagay, huwag na’ng magpasobra. Maximum size of 2 feet by 3 feet. Once makuha ito ng COMELEC, itinuturing na itong confiscated. Grounds for disqualification ito,” according to Jonathan Sayno, assistant election officer of COMELEC-Iloilo City.

Tarpaulins of party-list groups were also removed for having violated the prescribed size, and that the posters were attached to utility posts.

COMELEC-Iloilo City will conduct an inventory on the removed posters for a report to COMELEC's Law Department.

Persons caught placing political posters in non-designated common poster areas may face imprisonment of not less than one year.

Barangay officials will also face charges for campaign paraphernalia posted at the barangay hall now that the campaign period has started officially for national elective posts.

The campaign period for candidates in the local elective posts will start on March 28, 2025.

“Violation yan ng ating RA [Republic Act] 9006 at bawal ang mga barangay official sa pagkabit dyan. Pwede syang perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” Sayno added.

Meanwhile, over 280 campaign materials were removed in Bacolod City, and in areas in the Province of Negros Occidental. 

According to COMELEC-Bacolod City, “Operation Baklas” is a challenge to them because of the lack of manpower and budget to carry out the activity. Calle Araneta in Bacolod City became their area of concentration on February 11, 2025.

“Ang ating office work, hindi natin magawa dahil we had to do this. Wala naman tayong ma-hire na tao, (walang) budget for baklas,” Atty. Revo Sorbito, election officer of COMELEC-Bacolod City, said.

Further, Sorbito said it is not within their mandate to remove large campaign materials placed in private properties.

“We have received instructions, hindi tayo pwedeng gumalaw ng mga campaign materials, even oversized, kung nakakabit sa private property with the consent of the owners, of course,” Sorbito added.