Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) “Operation Baklas” was suspended after the Supreme Court gave a temporary restraining order for violations on Tuesday, March 08, 2022.

Acting COMELEC Chair, Socorro Inting and James Jimenez, Spokesperson of Education and Information Department were given ten days to answer the petition on the removal of election materials even on private properties.

According to the petitioners, “COMELEC had no legal basis to regulate expressions made by private citizens.” 

Supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo, Dr. Pilita Liceralde and Dr. Anton Lim and even the St. Anthony College in Capiz are some of the petitioners who questioned the activity of COMELEC. 

On March 1, 2022, a suit filed to cease Sections 21, 24 and 26 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10730. Under this section an order can “dismantle, remove, destroy, deface, and/or confiscate all election materials that are privately owned and privately funded solely by volunteers and private citizens and posted and/or installed within their private properties.”

Petitioners appealed that their election materials such as tarpaulins, posters and murals of VP Leni were demolished hastily. Representatives of COMELEC conducted forceful removal despite it being in their estates.

The high court’s temporary restraining order protected the interest of Filipinos and their freedom to exercise independent political decisions.