PNP to 2022 poll bets, supporters: Ditch festivities during COC filing

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar (Image from PNP)

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has appealed to candidates for the 2022 elections and their supporters to refrain from conducting festivities and programs during the filing of certificates of candidacy, amid the the COVID-19 pandemic.

 “Umaapela tayo sa mga kandidato at kanilang mga taga-suporta na kumilos nang naaayon sa panahon. Kung noon ay hinahayaan natin ang mala-piyestang mga gawain sa filing ng Certificate of Candidacy, hindi natin papayagan ito ngayon dahil nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya,” Eleazar said in a staement.

(We appeal to candidates and their supporters to act accordingly, Festivities and programs during the filing of COCs were allowed in the past, but not now that we are in the midst of a pandemic.)

“So we expect the candidates themselves to take their own measures to prevent this from happening for the protection of everybody,” he added.

 Eleazar reminded the candidates and their supporters that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had already issued guidelines on the number of individuals who can personally accompany a candidate when they file their COCs.

gsg