ILOILO – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here may tap barangay officials, barangay tanods and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) to enforce pandemic health protocols in the campaign sorties of candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections.
According to Comelec-Iloilo provincial supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, they will be discussing this possibility with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo director Teodora Sumagaysay.
Comelec Resolution No. 10732 issued last November 2021 set the campaign dos and don’ts covering in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance.
For in-person campaign
* for areas under Category Level 1 (Alert Level 1) – no limit
* 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.
“I’ll be going around also to check sang compliance, especially sa campaign materials kay dapat wala na sila subong along streets, dapat ara na sila sa common poster areas,” said Ananoria./PN
