Lapid thinks Comelec must ease campaign restrictions

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should consider relaxing campaign restrictions that were put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Senator Lito Lapid.

This as he complained that it has been difficult and at times costly for candidates.

Lapid is not a candidate in the May 9 elections but he is supporting and going around towns with the Pinuno Party-list, a civic, non-profit, and non-governmental organization established in 2019 that is pushing for affordable housing and livelihood programs.

“(Alert) Level 1 na tayo, narinig ko nga si Attorney George (Garcia), bagong (Comelec) commissioner na dapat luwagan na raw kasi nga lalo na ‘yong nangangampanya, kamukha namin, nahihirapan din kami na dapat tuloy-tuloy kami kaya lang tumitigil kami dahil hanggang do’n lang ang permit namin,” Lapid told reporters Friday during an ambush interview in Caloocan.

(We are on Alert Level, I heard Attorney George, the new Comelec commissioner saying that the restrictions on campaigning should be loosened, because like in our case, we find it hard to campaign as we could go on to different towns but we would stop because our permit only allows us at certain areas.)

“Babalik kami ulit, eh kung mahal ang gasolina, pabalik-balik kami, eh di lalo kaming gumagastos dyan,” he lamented.

(We would return, but if oil prices are high, and if we would go back and forth, it would mean bigger expenses for us.)

Another problem, the senator said, is that even after securing permits from Comelec, candidates would net another set of permits if they want to visit local government units.

READ: Comelec en banc to review campaign rules on permits amid eased COVID restrictions

Usually, Comelec permits are released within seven days, Lapid said.

“Kasi kami, mag-aano pa kami ng mga permit eh, bayan-bayan. Meron na kami sa Comelec, dapat dumaan pa kami sa mga local, dahil nga do’n sa Comelec rules,” he noted.

(Because in our case, we ask for permits from each town.  We have asked one from Comelec, but we would also pass through local governments because of the Comelec rules.)

Many candidates have been calling for the easing of campaign curbs since many areas across the country have already shifted to COVID-19 Alert Level 1, which imposes looser pandemic restrictions.

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

Garcia — the new poll commissioner that Lapid was talking about — said the Comelec en banc would review the proposals.

KGA