PPCRV: Eleksyon 2022 candidates, join debates, interviews
By J.Lo
“Participate in debates and interviews if you have nothing to hide…are you hiding something…are you scared of anything…if not, if what you are offering to the people is purely truth, then there is no problem if you join,” Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) asked all aspirants for the May 9 polls to join debates and interviews if they have nothing to hide from voters.
During a Laging Handa briefing, PPCRV chairman emeritus Ambassador Henrietta de Villa said such activities would allow public to hear out aspirants’ platforms and compare them with one another.
“Lumahok kayo kasi anong itinatago ninyo kung hindi kayo lalahok…may itinatago ba kayo…may ikinatatakot ba kayo…eh kung wala, kung puro katotohanan ‘yung inyong inaalok at inaalay sa bayan, e di walang problema kung sumali kayo,” she said.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez earlier said law does not require candidates’ participation in public debates, and poll body cannot oblige candidates to show up.
Jimenez also said decision of certain aspirants to skip various pre-election forums may be a “red flag” for voters.
De Villa reminded voters to make cheat sheet or list of candidates whom they will vote for on May 9 so that their voting will be quick.
She also urged them to take time to know candidates well before voting for them.
“Start thinking about it now and in the process of choosing candidate to vote for, please take time to listen to their platforms during campaign period… listen as much as possible to what candidates say in interviews, debates, rallies, and know what they have to offer when they are elected,” De Villa said.
More than that, De Villa said voters should also try to determine real attitude and character of the candidates, and veer away from those who are vote buying.
She also emphasized now that campaign period has started, PPCRV is seriously following its mandate as an accredited citizen’s arm.
“First is to provide voter’s education to everyone, especially in far-flung areas…second, to watch polls on election day in every cluster precinct in the country. ..third, is to conduct an unofficial parallel count,” De Villa explained.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has already submitted its “election watchlist of areas” to Comelec in connection with security of the 2022 polls.
In a radio interview, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said only Comelec is authorized to release the list.
“We already submitted watchlist of areas to the Comelec including numbers,” she said.
She clarified that the previously called “elections hotspots” are now dubbed as “election watchlist of areas,” as stated in the resolution of Comelec.
The PNP classified the areas in the country into four color-coded categories green, yellow, orange, and red.
Areas under green categories are considered generally peaceful for conduct of elections, according to Fajardo.
Yellow areas means there are reported suspected election-related incidents in the past two polls, possible presence of armed groups, and intense political rivalries. Yellow areas are considered “areas of concern”.
Orange areas have a recorded presence of armed groups such as New People’s Army and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters that may interrupt the polls. These are considered “areas of immediate concern”.
Meanwhile, areas under the red category meet parameters for yellow and orange areas. They will be placed under Comelec control, Fajardo said. Security forces will focus on monitoring these areas.
The first day of the campaign period for the candidates for national positions in the May 9 elections went generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police said .
Fajardo said there were three reported incidents of violence in Mindanao but noted that these are unrelated to elections.
“So far, based on reports we have received, the first day of campaign period of our national candidates was generally peaceful,” she said.
Fajardo said they observed that social distancing protocol in light of COVID-19 threat was violated in some campaign rallies.
She admitted that enforcing minimum public health standards in campaign rallies is challenge for the police.
Fajardo earlier said PNP will exercise maximum tolerance in enforcing election guidelines and COVID-19 health standards in campaign rallies to avoid tension during such activities.
She added that PNP will focus on enforcing election guidelines by the Comelec, while barangays officials will focus on ensuring adherence to minimum public health standards.
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