Bayan Muna Party-list Representatives trooped to the national office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila, on March 10 to file a complaint against the “widespread and rampant black propaganda” targeting their party during the height of the midterm election campaign. According to the party, Comelec should hold accountable those behind these actions, especially state agencies and forces involved.

Among those who appeared before Comelec was Bayan Muna chairperson and first nominee Atty. Neri Colmenares. He stated, “the operations against Bayan Muna run counter to the goal of fair elections,” which prompted them to file the complaint.

In their complaint, Bayan Muna detailed numerous cases of defamation and removal of their posters and other campaign materials that they had put up. Posters linking Bayan Muna, as well as other Makabayan Coalition parties and senatorial candidates, to the armed revolutionary movement or Red-tagging were also widespread. The party has also been subjected to Red-tagging on social media.

The party based its complaint on Comelec’s resolution on Anti-Discrimination and Fair Campaigning Guidelines and the Supreme Court decision (G.R. No. 254753, Deduro v. Maj. Gen. Vinoya). The Supreme Court ruled that Red-tagging poses a threat to people’s lives and freedom and has proven that government agencies are involved in such actions.

“Bayan Muna believes that the task of legislators is to provide checks and balance in government requiring it to openly criticize what it perceives as anti-people policies of government,” according to the party’s complaint. They added that this should not merit Red-tagging by abusive government officials.

Attorney Colmenares said it is evident that the Red-tagging operations against Bayan Muna are well-funded since they are implemented nationwide.

The party requested Comelec to strengthen its enforcement of resolutions against Red-tagging. They suggested that Comelec include discussions on Red-tagging and its harmful effects in its education and information campaigns. Additionally, Bayan Muna urged Comelec to direct its Task Force Baklas to document and remove materials containing black propaganda and Red-tagging targeting candidates.

The National Task Force-Elcac and its paid agents, such as fake peace organizations like Kalinaw-Southeastern Mindanao, are the primary instigators of Red-tagging and defamation against Bayan Muna and the Makabayan Coalition. They led efforts to question Comelec’s resolution against Red-tagging.