Face-to-face campaign still possible but with strict adherence to protocols — Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Face-to-face campaign activities for the upcoming 2022 elections may still be allowed but with strict physical distancing and observance of other health protocols, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said Wednesday.

Guanzon said rules for election campaigning will depend on the policies of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Depende po sa IATF na mga rules ‘yan. Kunwari Metro Manila is under GCQ (general community quarantine), so limited dapat ang social distancing nila, two meters,” she said over ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo when asked about the possible ban on physical election campaign activities.

(It will depend on IATF rules. For example Metro Manila is under GCQ, so social distancing of two meters should be observed in campaign activities.)

“Pwede naman po silang mangampanya pero two meters minimum tapos may mask sila. Sila, ‘yung mga nangangampanya may mask, tsaka ‘yung mga taong nakikinig sa kanila may mask din, at tsaka may limit na po ‘yan, hindi naman pwedeng isang libo kayo,” she added.

(They may still campaign physically but they should observe two-meter social distancing and wear face masks. Politicians who are campaigning and those listening to them should also wear masks. The number of audience should be limited. You can’t have 1,000 people as an audience.)

In a television interview on Tuesday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said face-to-face campaigning may be prohibited for the upcoming elections to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. He added that the Comelec may instead promote online campaigning as an alternative.

Jimenez also said that the Comelec will be coordinating with the IATF-EID regarding the matter.

EDV