Unang Balita is the news segment of GMA Network's daily morning program, Unang Hirit. It's anchored by Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Ivan Mayrina, and Mariz Umali, and airs on GMA-7 Mondays to Fridays at 5:30 AM (PHL Time). For more videos from Unang Balita, visit http://www.gmanetwork.com/unangbalita.
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NewsTranscript
00:00We are still here at Honorio Lopez Boulevard in Tondo, Manila
00:04for the start of the campaign period for the candidates for the national position.
00:09These are the candidates for the position of senator and party-lead organizations.
00:14Oplan Baclas of Comelec is in charge of removing the posters and campaign materials
00:20that are placed in unauthorized places.
00:24Such as posters, ropes, footbridge, and even the size of the campaign materials.
00:31This Oplan Baclas is symbolic for the entire Philippines
00:37for the start of the campaign period for the candidates for the national positions.
00:42This Oplan Baclas is led by Comelec Chairman George Garcia
00:47that we can talk to during this time.
00:50Chairman, good morning.
00:51Good morning, Ma'am Susan, to the Unang Hirit family.
00:53Good morning to our countrymen. Good morning.
00:56Chairman, you are saying that this Oplan Baclas is symbolic
01:00and it will happen to the entire country today.
01:03You are right. All our local Comelec are currently removing the illegally posted materials
01:10that are placed in unauthorized places.
01:12Especially in public places.
01:14For example, the electricity poles, electricity wires,
01:17and even the trees that we are removing.
01:21But we just want to say, Ma'am Susan,
01:23that we cannot remove the private properties
01:27because the Supreme Court said that the right of the owner of the property should be protected.
01:33So what does this mean?
01:34Because we have Oplan Baclas,
01:36the candidates and their supporters can see that there are posters
01:41and there are campaign materials that are placed in unauthorized places.
01:44What should the candidates do to start Oplan Baclas today, Chairman?
01:50Actually, it's funny because some people know that we are going to do Baclas today
01:53and yesterday they already removed it.
01:55Look, there are almost no materials left.
01:58What we mean is that we hope that our countrymen, our candidates,
02:03will take the initiative to remove it.
02:06Don't be lazy because otherwise,
02:08even if we don't remove it, Ma'am Susan,
02:10we will write to them in the next few days
02:12and they should remove the illegally posted materials,
02:16the materials that use non-biodegradable materials.
02:20They should remove it within a period of three days.
02:22Otherwise, they will face criminal charges and disqualification.
02:26Chairman, this is not the first time that we have seen people
02:30who are against the placement of campaign materials
02:33in unauthorized and undesignated poster areas.
02:37But what will be the change now?
02:39Can we see a change now in those who are still adamant
02:42to place campaign materials in unauthorized places?
02:46You know, Ma'am Susan,
02:47we need to show to the people that the Comelec is determined
02:50and we will really sue or disqualify the candidates.
02:55When we said before that if you use state resources or the country's funds,
03:00we will disqualify you, we will disqualify you.
03:02We were affirmed by the Supreme Court in so many cases.
03:05That is also what we will do to the campaign materials.
03:08First, we are protecting the environment.
03:10Second, it is easy to follow and disobey the Comelec's rules.
03:14Why can't we do everything?
03:16That is what we mean.
03:17And why are there people who are implementing and following our rules?
03:21Some people are saying that the candidates' posters
03:26should be automatically disqualified.
03:29But they are saying, we don't know that.
03:31Our supporters put it there.
03:33Is that right? Is that their argument?
03:35That is an argument, Ma'am Susan.
03:36It has been a long time since such argument was made.
03:39That is not mine.
03:40Others put it there.
03:41My supporters put it there.
03:42Or maybe my opponents put it there.
03:43We can always presume that you put it there because of your face.
03:47So, that is how the fight should be.
03:49We will have a presumption.
03:50They will defend themselves that they did not put it there.
03:54But lastly, Ma'am Susan,
03:55what we want to say to our fellow countrymen,
03:58lastly, it is up to us to decide.
04:01First of all, they are courting us now.
04:03They said that they love us.
04:05They are courting us.
04:06So, let's see now.
04:07Are they following?
04:08Are they following?
04:09This is the right time for us to see the character and attitude
04:13of the candidates who want to get our vote.
04:16So, again, if we still see someone who put it there and did not remove it,
04:22if they put it there, their supporters,
04:24they will write it.
04:26In three days, what will happen?
04:28If they did not remove it yesterday,
04:29we will send them a disqualification and election offense.
04:32That is one to six years imprisonment.
04:34Our fellow countrymen,
04:35I want to report that if you have a lot of campaign materials,
04:39in your opinion,
04:40it is wrong because it is a public place,
04:41post,
04:42rope,
04:43tree or whatever,
04:44it is good that we have a number on our website.
04:47We can send it to us.
04:48We will send it to our people right away.
04:50It should be an action right away.
04:51Not the people who are reporting.
04:53But there is no movement from the community.
04:56So, you can get a video or a photo,
04:58tell us the place and even the face of the candidate who put it there.
05:03Yes.
05:04In the next few days,
05:05we will put the numbers where our fellow countrymen can vote.
05:09And expect the violators,
05:11if they did not follow,
05:13we have what we call a show-cause order.
05:15We will issue a show-cause order right away for a disqualification.
05:19However, we will sue right away.
05:21It does not matter if there are a lot of cases.
05:23What is important is that we can support this campaign.
05:26Yes.
05:27Again, Chairman,
05:28let us send a message to the candidates.
05:30Starting today,
05:32their campaign period will start.
05:34And to the public.
05:35First, to the local candidates,
05:37those who may not be involved yet,
05:40not yet in their campaign period,
05:42there are already a lot of local candidates spreading.
05:45So, I hope you will avoid it.
05:46We will also remove it.
05:47It is a waste if you stick to it.
05:49To the national candidates,
05:50you can see our dedication
05:52to implement our laws and regulations.
05:55I hope you will take the initiative.
05:57And I hope the offlanders,
05:59they will be given training and lessons,
06:02lectures,
06:03so they will know how to stick it,
06:04where to stick it,
06:05if they can use non-biodegradable materials,
06:08which can damage the environment.
06:10And the rags they use,
06:12it can really damage the post.
06:14It can even hurt those who remove it.
06:16Okay, thank you very much.
06:17And I know you are still busy.
06:18Comileg Chairman George Garcia, sir.
06:20Thank you so much.
06:21Good morning.
06:22Good luck to us.
06:24Thank you so much.
06:25From here in the house of Honorio Lopez Boulevard,
06:27this is where Comileg's offlander class will continue.
06:31First, Comileg Chairman George Garcia.
06:33Let's go back to the studio.
06:48For more information, visit www.fema.gov