Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez and Vice President Leni Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is reviewing a request from Vice President Leni Robredo to continue her pandemic initiatives during the campaign period.
According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, the poll body should first evaluate if the pandemic response efforts led by Robredo fulfill humanitarian needs.
“That is still being evaluated, if I am not mistaken. The law department has to evaluate the request first to see if it fulfills a humanitarian need. Normally exemptions to election bans can be granted on humanitarian grounds to see whether or not kailangan talaga siya (it is really needed or not), so it will be along those lines,” he said.
Robredo has formally requested the Comelec to allow the Office of the Vice President’s pandemic efforts like the Swab Cab, Bayanihan E-Konsulta, and the Vaccine Express to continue even as the campaign period for national candidates kicks off on February 8.
Under Section 13 of the Comelec Resolution No. 10747, candidates are required to secure a certificate of exception for projects, activities, and programs of social welfare projects and services.
In previous elections, the Comelec has exempted disaster relief operations in the rule, according to Jimenez.