By Ferdinand Patinio

‘OPLAN BAKLAS’. The “Oplan Baklas” team of Commission on Elections 11 (Davao Region) hauls campaign materials that were illegally placed along Claro M. Recto Avenue on March 28, 2025. Comelec Chairperson George Garcia on Tuesday (May 6) said there are 30 to 35 candidates in the May 12 elections, among them a senatorial bet, who will face disqualification cases due to alleged illegal campaign materials. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)

MANILA – The Task Force Baklas of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will be filing disqualification charges against some 35 candidates in the May 12 midterm elections due to alleged illegal campaign materials.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia on Tuesday said majority of the candidates who are likely to face charges are running for local positions.

The list also includes one senatorial candidate, he said.

“Around 30 to 35 individuals will be charged by the Task Force Baklas. If I’m not mistaken, it includes one senatorial candidate,” the poll chief said in an interview.

“They didn’t remove their campaign materials as ordered by the task force. Despite several notices, they opted to disregard them.”

Garcia did not mention names, but Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco identified the national candidate as independent senatorial bet Eric Martinez.

The possible cases stemmed from evidence gathered by Task Force Baklas, which has been closely monitoring oversized, misplaced, and non-environment-friendly campaign materials of those seeking public office. (PNA)