Palace: Revisions on Comelec reso due to possible COVID-19 surge to be backed by Executive

MANILA, Philippines — The executive branch of the government will support any revision that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will make on its resolution considering the potential COVID-19 case surge, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Comelec Resolution No. 10732 indicates which election campaign activities are allowed and prohibited amid the threat of COVID-19 including in-person campaign, meetings, and rallies.

READ: COVID redraws rules of campaign for 2022 elections

“We recognize the constitutional mandate of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in enforcing and administering all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of elections,” acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andnar replied in a statement when asked if there is a need to regulate or restrict political rallies.

“Any revision of this resolution, in view of the possible COVID-19 surge, shall be supported by the Executive,” he said, referring to Comelec Resolution No. 10732.

Independent analytics group Octa Research on Tuesday said that COVID-19 active cases may reach up to 100,000 if the Omicron subvariant — which is currently causing a surge in South Africa and New Delhi, India — is detected in the Philippines.

READ: OCTA: Surge seen if Omicron subvariant detected in PH; up to 100K active cases projected

The Department of Health likewise recently projected that new COVID-19 cases may spike to 25,000 to 60,000 per day in Metro Manila by mid-May, if the public decreased its compliance with minimum public health standards by 50 percent.

READ: DOH warns of possible COVID-19 surge by May due to neglected health standards

Earlier, the World Health Organization urged the Philippines to prepare for a possible COVID-19 surge as infections will likely rise, especially after the May 9 polls.

READ: WHO warns of new COVID surge in 2 months, urges PH to prepare

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