Robredo’s request to allow OVP initiatives during campaign up for Comelec resolution

FILE Hundreds of Novaliches residents availed of free COVID-19 tests offered by the Swab Cab program of the Office of the Vice President amid the surge in infection believed driven by the Omicron variant. Image from Facebook / Leni Gerona Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — The request of Vice President Leni Robredo for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow the pandemic initiatives of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to proceed during the campaign period for the May elections is already up for resolution, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Thursday.

“This has already been heard and submitted for resolution to the Commission. So we are going to wait for that resolution,” Jimenez said in an online press briefing.

Robredo earlier asked the Comelec to allow the OVP’s initiatives against COVID-19 to continue even during the campaign period for national candidates, which starts on February 8. She said these programs include the Swab Cab, Bayanihan E-Konsulta, and Vaccine Express.

The Comelec earlier said they are reviewing Robredo’s request.

Under Section 13 of the Comelec Resolution No. 10747, candidates are required to secure a certificate of exception for projects, activities, and programs for social welfare and services.

In previous elections, the Comelec has exempted disaster relief operations in this rule, according to Jimenez.

EDV