Campaigning for the May 2022 elections should not get in the way of observing health protocols, said the Department of Health. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Election campaigning has made following health protocols a bit difficult for candidates and supporters alike, that’s why Health Secretary Francisco Duque had a few suggestion in mind, including the fist bump that President Rodrigo Duterte is well known for.
Duque said that candidates in the May 9 elections should serve as a good example to the public to observe health protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead of handshakes and kissing, or even hugging, which some candidates are wont to do during campaign, he said that candidates should resort to fist bumps or waving one’s hand which employs very minimal contact.
“Siguro sila na ‘yung maging halimbawa. Halimbawa, hindi mo naman kailangan makipagkamay. Siguro fist bump na lang, mga ganoon, mga small adjustments. Kaway na lang. Walang kissing, wala ‘yung mga ganoon kasi marami ring ibang sakit na pwede kang makahawa at mahawaan,” Duque said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.
(Maybe they should be the ones to set an example. For example, you don’t need to shake the hands of people. Maybe you should just fist bump and make small adjustments like that. Just wave at them. There should be no kissing because there are other diseases you can transfer or have.)
“So dapat bilang mga kandidato, maging magandang halimbawa sila na sumunod pa rin sa reasonable health and safety protocols,” he added.
(As candidates, they should be good examples in following reasonable health and safety protocols.)
Commission on Elections (Comelec) acting chairperson Socorro Inting earlier said that several candidates have complained against the agency’s ban on handshakes, selfies, and any close physical contact between candidates and voters during campaign sorties.
She said the Comelec might review its restrictions on in-person campaign events following these complaints.