Face-to-face election campaigning poses ‘huge challenge and risk’ — Galvez

MANILA, Philippines — Allowing face-to-face campaigns for the 2022 national elections would be a huge challenge and a risk amid the persisting threat of the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Wednesday.

Galvez said he will be in talks with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to discuss policies for the upcoming polls.

“Tatalakayin po natin with Comelec kasi talagang nakikita natin na malaki po iyong challenge at risk, ‘yung magkakaroon po ng face-to-face na gathering,” Galvez said in a televised briefing.

(We will discuss this with Comelec because we really foresee that it would be a huge challenge and potential risk if there would be face-to-face gatherings.)

“Nakikita po natin yung pagkakampanya, it will enhance close contact with different people. Tumatawag na rin po sa akin ang Comelec and we will discuss this later,” he added.

(Campaigning will enhance close contact with different people. Comelec has reached out to me and we will discuss this later.)

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they are eyeing to ban face-to-face campaigning to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

But for Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, it may still be allowed provided that strict physical distancing and observance of other health protocols be followed.

EDV