IN BACOLOD
Comelec goes after
illegal poll materials
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Commission of Elections yesterday went after illegal campaign materials in Bacolod City, and the City Legal Office enforcement unit is set to implement “Oplan Baklas” today, to remove numerous illegal posters amid mounting complaints.

“We have a standing order for all election officers to remove illegal campaign materials from their areas,” Negros Occidental Election Supervisor Wil Arceño said yesterday.

Bacolod Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia said she ordered the removal of oversized campaign materials of senatorial candidate Jack Enrile posted on a private property at Araneta Street, and these were voluntarily removed.

Army watch up on
80 remote brgys
BY GILBERT BAYORAN

The military expects election-related activities of the New People’s Army in 80 hinterland barangays of Negros Occidental during the campaign period, Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade deputy commander, said yesterday.

Aying, who presided over the Joint Peace Security Coordinating Center meeting in Pulupandan yesterday, said the NPA is expected to be active in their extortion activities, requiring candidates to pay permits to campaign fees, once they enter so-called rebel-controlled areas.

They are now desperate to collect money from candidates, he said.

President Benigno Aquino has appointed Negrense lawyer Rowena Guanzon, former mayor of Cadiz City, as Commission on Audit commissioner, Malacañang spokesman Edwin Lacierda said yesterday.

“It is going to be an all-woman COA, with (chairman) Grace Tan and (commissioner) Heidi Mendoza,” he told the DAILY STAR.

The president signed Guanzon’s appointment on March 8, Lacierda said.

Guanzon, who replaced Juanito Espino Jr., will serve as COA commissioner until Feb. 2, 2020, he said.