ILOILO City – “It’s better to be cautious than sorry.”
This was emphasized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following the issuance of campaign guidelines for the May 2022 elections.
Citing the threat of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Director Wilfred Jay Balisado of Comelec Region 6 said they do not want candidates to get sick.
“Much more magkaroon ng hawaan (during the campaign),” he added.
Balisado said it is up to the candidates to take charge of their own supporters and be aware of the Comelec’s campaign policy.
On Nov. 24, Comelec issued Resolution No. 10732, detailing the guidelines on the conduct of in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance under the “new normal.”
Here are Comelec’s campaign dos and don’ts:
For in-person campaign
* for areas under Category Level 1 (Alert Level 1) – no limit
(The alert level is based on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease or IATF-MEID)
* Category Level 2 (Alert Level 2) – a candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff
* Category Level 3 (Alert Level 3) – a candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of three campaign support staff
* Category 4 and 5 (Alert Level 4 and 5) – not allowed
The following activities are strictly prohibited during in-person campaigns in all category levels.
* Entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner;
* Crowding, or allowing there to be, crowds that violate minimum public health standards around the candidate and his or her companions;
* Handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm , or any that involves physical contact among the candidates, their companions, and the public;
* Taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public;
* Distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items
For caucuses, meetings, convention, rallies, and miting de avance
* for areas under Category Level 1 – allowed up to 70 percent of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor
* Category Level 2 – allowed up to 50 percent of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor
* Category Level 3 – allowed up to 50 percent of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only
* Category Level 4 – allowed up to 30 percent of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only
* Category Level 5 – not allowed
The following activities are strictly prohibited during such gatherings:
* Handshakes, hugs, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidates, their companions and the public;
* Taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public;
* Distribution of food and drinking, and all other goods or items
Motorcades and caravans
The following passenger capacity for each type of vehicle shall be observed:
* trucks, buses, mini-trucks, and jeepneys
– allowed up to 70 percent of the capacity of the vehicle (Category 1)
– allowed up to 50 percent of the capacity of the vehicles (Category 2 and 3)
– allowed up to 30 percent of the capacity of the vehicle (Category 4)
– not allowed (Category 5)
* service utility vehicles, sedans and owner-type jeepneys
– full capacity (Category 1 and 2)
– allowed up two passengers per row and one (1) passenger on the drivers row (Category 3 and 4)
– not allowed (Category 5)
* tricycles
– full capacity (Category 1 and 2)
– one passenger in the side-car and one back-ride passenger (Category 3)
– one passenger in the side-car but no back ride passenger (Category 4)
– not allowed (Category 5)
* motorcycles
– one back ride passenger (Category 1 and 2)
– no back ride passengers (Category 3 and 4)
– not allowed (Category 5)
Only candidates, campaign leaders and supporters belonging to the same household are allowed to be in the same vehicle.
The following activities are strictly prohibited during motorcades, in all category levels:
* Stopovers, layovers, and other similar stoppages for the conduct of other election campaign activities
* Handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public
* Taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public
* Distribution of food and drinks, and all other goods or items
During all election campaign activities, candidates and participants shall, at all times, observe of minimum public health standards.
Meanwhile, no election campaign activities shall be conducted without first obtaining the prior approval from the corresponding Comelec Campaign Committee (CCC).
Application for the conduct of election campaign activities shall be filed at least 72 hours prior to the intended scheduled, before the following committees:
* regional CCC of the Office of the Regional Election Director – for presidential, vice presidential, senatorial and part-list candidates.
* provincial CCC at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor – for gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, district representative, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan candidates.
* municipal/city CCC at the Office of the Election Officer – for mayoralty, vice mayoralty, and Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod candidates.
Monitoring and reportorial requirements
* Barangay officials, tanods, and members of the barangay health emergency response team (BHERTs) shall impose strict observance with minimum public health standards during the conduct of election campaign activities, and
* The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as the case may be – to maintain order and security during the conduct of election campaign activities, and to coordinate with the barangay officials, tanods and BHERTs in the discharge of their functions a as necessary.
Sanctions await violators of the Comelec guidelines, said Balisado.
Feb. 8, 2022 is the start of the campaign period for national positions such as president, vice president, senator, and party-list representatives, while March 25, 2022 for local positions. Both will run until May 7, 2022./PN
