The Makabayan bloc has lodged a formal complaint with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) over alleged red-tagging and harassment targeting its candidates during the 2025 election campaign.
ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, currently running for senator, personally filed the letter at Comelec’s Intramuros office, joined by representatives from Kabataan and Gabriela Women’s Party.
“We submitted a complaint detailing the harassment and red-tagging we’ve faced, along with violations of Comelec’s anti-discrimination rules,” Castro said.
She described an incident in Palawan where armed individuals confronted campaigners and declared their activities illegal. Other issues include online red-tagging of a Kabataan nominee, harassment of a Gabriela candidate, and vandalism or removal of campaign posters in Southern Luzon. Propaganda linking the bloc and its allies to communist groups was also reported.
The group emphasized these acts undermine democracy and called on Comelec to act decisively. In Cavite, Makabayan also submitted a complaint over red-tagging and black propaganda.
Comelec Chair George Garcia confirmed that the poll body would look into the matter, noting that Task Force SAFE was set up to enforce election rules, including those against discrimination.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 1116, branding candidates as terrorists or criminals without proof is considered an election offense. The resolution also bars discrimination based on identity factors like gender, age, religion, and ethnicity.