Manila: The Task Force Baklas of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to file disqualification charges against approximately 35 candidates participating in the May 12 midterm elections. These charges are due to the alleged use of illegal campaign materials.
According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced on Tuesday that the majority of the candidates likely to face charges are vying for local positions. The list, however, also includes one senatorial candidate.
“Around 30 to 35 individuals will be charged by the Task Force Baklas. If I’m not mistaken, it includes one senatorial candidate,” Garcia stated in an interview. He further explained that the candidates failed to remove their campaign materials despite repeated orders from the task force and multiple notices, which they chose to ignore.
While Garcia refrained from disclosing specific names, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco identified the national candidate as independent senatorial aspirant Eric Martinez. The potential cases are based on evidence collected by Task Force Baklas, which has been diligently monitoring oversized, improperly placed, and non-environment-friendly campaign materials of those seeking public office.
