Comelec eyeing task force vs. non-biodegradable campaign materials

Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (INQUIRER / NINO JESUS ORBETA)

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Friday said he is eyeing the creation of “Task Force Baklas” intended to dismantle non-biodegradable campaign materials for the 2025 elections.

Garcia said the task force should not be limited to taking down campaign posters with inaccurate sizes and those posted in the wrong areas.

“Kinakailangang magkaroon kami ng “Task Force Baklas.” Sa “Task Force Baklas” na yan, hindi lang yung sizes, hindi lang yung maling pinaglalagyan, kung hindi yung paggamit ng mga bagay, materyales na hindi consistent sa pinromulgate ng committee ni Commissioner Maceda,” Garcia said in his speech.

 (We need to have a Task Force Baklas. In Task Force Baklas, we don’t just dismantle campaign materials with wrong sizes, or those posted in the wrong area, but also use materials which are not consistent with was was promulgated by  the committee of Commissioner Maceda.)

Garcia was referring to the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections, which the poll body launched for the first time on Friday.

Comelec Resolution No. 11111 states that the Comelec en banc “approved the creation of the Committee on Environmentally Sustainable Elections, tasked with studying and proposing measures to minimize the environmental impact of election-related activities, such as campaign rallies sorties, and the production, use, and eventual disposal of campaign materials.”

Garcia said that he is planning to appoint Comelec Director Frances Arabe to lead the national campaign of the task force to synchronize all the offices of the poll body.

He stated that the Comelec will not hesitate to disqualify candidates who will not abide by the rules and regulations set by the committee to ensure an environmentally-friendly campaign. 

“Ibig sabihin, kung may masasampol din sa violation ng guidelines natin sa pagprotekta ng ating kalikasan, magandang simula yun,” Garcia added.

(It means that if we can penalize violators of the guidelines to protect the environment, it will be a good start.)

He mentioned that the Comelec’s step to promote sustainable elections will show the candidates in the future elections, including the 2028 elections,  how they should act on the agenda.

The resolution mandated that those who will violate the rules and guidelines on environmentally-sustainable elections “shall be subject to the sanctions provided under applicable laws, local ordinances, or COMELEC rules.”

It added that complaints may be filed with the Comelec Law Department, concerned local government units or agencies, for violation of laws such as, but not limited to, Republic Act (R.A) No. 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000; R.A No. 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009; R.A. 8749 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999; or R.A 3571.