PNP working with Comelec after directive on health protocol violations as poll offense

Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is working with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the implementation of election laws, specifically the poll body’s directive that COVID-19 health protocol violations are election offenses.

According to PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos, they are currently coordinating with Comelec on the issue, especially as the commission would require candidates in the 2022 national elections to submit an affidavit of compliance for every physical campaigning that they will conduct.

“We are working with the Comelec on the participation of the PNP in the implementation of the said provision for in-person election activities,” Carlos said in a statement on Tuesday.

Carlos was referring to Section 34 of the Comelec Resolution No. 10730 which contained provisions that bars candidates, political parties, or individuals from providing or receiving free“transportation, food and drinks or anything of value” during campaign meetings.

Aside from that, Comelec also stressed that candidates and parties that engage in actions that violate the minimum public health and safety protocols against COVID-19 — set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) — would be considered election offenses.

Also, failure to submit the notarized “affidavit of compliance with health protocols” to the nearest Comelec office within 24 hours after any physical campaign would mean noncooperation, which may be punishable under Republic Act No. 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

READ: Comelec says health protocol violations are election offenses 

In this regard, Carlos has requested that candidates cooperate with Comelec and law enforcers to ensure that a crowd control plan is in place to avoid COVID-19 transmissions, especially during the campaign season.

“We are requesting every candidate that if they will organize an in-person campaign, they must properly coordinate with the authorities and make sure that there is a crowd control plan in place,” Carlos stressed.