Pacquiao’s plea to Comelec: Ease campaign restrictions amid Alert Level 1

FILE PHOTO: Philippine senator and newly retired boxing icon Manny Pacquiao waves to supporters as he files his certificate of candidacy for president, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 1, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is running for president in the May 9 polls, on Tuesday appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to relax restrictions on campaign activities since some areas have already shifted to COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

“Dapat na maluwagan man lamang dahil level 1 na tayo ngayn, so I hope na marinig tayo ng Comelec, mag-adjust sila para hindi na mahirapan ‘yung mangangampanya,” he said in an interview in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

(The restrictions should be eased because it is already alert level 1 in some areas so I hope the Comelec would consider this and hear us, and adjust it so campaigning would not be too difficult.)

Metro Manila and 38 other areas were placed on COVID-19 Alert Level 1 from March 1-15.

Under Alert Level 1, the wearing of well-fitted masks is still required outdoors or indoors, including in public transportation.

Pacquiao previously called the campaign restrictions “OA” (too much) as he finds it too limiting for him to reach out to his supporters and even give them help or aid.

“Kaya tinawag itong kampanya, kailangan makipagkamay, fist bump ang isang kandidato, luwag luwagan naman nila kahit yung pagbibigay ng mga t-shirt, pinagbabawal. Dapat mabago nila,” he said in the interview.

(That’s why it’s called a campaign, you can shake hands, bump fists. They should loosen the restrictions, even on the giving of some campaign materials.)

During the 90-day campaign period which started February 8, candidates are prohibited from all forms of physical contact such as hugging, shaking hands with people as well as posing for selfies or group pictures.

READ: Comelec sets rules on in-person campaigns; LGUs have say

They were also warned against gathering people, entering homes during door-to-door stops, and distributing food, drinks, “and all other goods and items.”

READ: For in-person campaign sorties, wear face shield over mask – Comelec

Candidates are also barred from giving out money and gifts to their supporters during the campaign season.

KGA