DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN, FEB. 19 – Vice-presidential candidate dared the Commission on Election (Comelec) and Philippine National Police (PNP) on their “Oplan Baklas” program to prove their impartiality and go after administration bets’ tarpaulins too.

“Iligal ang ginagawa ng Comelec. Ang balita natin ang binabaklas lang ay iyong mga wala sa administrasyon kaya hindi tama. Ang panawagan natin sa Comelec at PNP, patunayan niyo na patas kayo at impartial kayo,” Pangilinan said during his radio interview today with Love Radio-Dagupan.

Based on reports, Comelec and PNP removed posters and defaced murals inside private properties, drawing the ire of private groups and individuals.

Pangilinan, a lawyer, argued that Comelec and PNP overstepped the bounds of law, saying these two agencies do not have any authority on private properties.

“Ang ating paniniwala, wala silang kapangyarihan lalo na kung ito ay personal na itinayo ng pribadong indibidwal sa kanyang pribadong pag-aari — bahay or bakod niya — at hindi naman siya kandidato…Hindi pwedeng tanggalin ng Comelec yan ng walang due process or hearing,” Pangilinan said.

“Tulad na lang dito sa Isabela, private property at pader ng may-ari, may mural na pinaghirapan ng mga kabataan at ang ginawa ay binura. Hindi iyon allowed at hindi iyon ligal,” he added.

Supporters of Robredo-Pangilinan campaign in different localities such as Isabela and Zamboanga aired their frustrations after authorities removed campaign materials put up inside private properties — all of which without prior notice.

Pangilinan has since warned Comelec and PNP in favor of the volunteers’ concerns.

“Sinasalo na tayo ng mga volunteer natin sa pagpapagawa ng tarps, posters, at kung ano-ano pang campaign material. Kinakabit sa sarili nilang mga bahay at sa mga nakukumbinsi para suportahan ang TROPA ng Leni-Kiko. Sasaluhin natin sila sa kasong ito,” Pangilinan said in a previous statement.