Comelec to revise rules on campaign—Inting
By Nidz Godino
“Our rules regarding campaign are based on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease guidelines…now, yes, we are aware of the complaints of some candidates… maybe, we can review our rules because when we adopted our rules the alert level status was Alert Level 3,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Acting Chairman Socorro Inting said Comelec is open to reviewing guidelines for in-person campaigning for Eleksyon 2022 following several complaints from different candidates.
In explaining current guidelines, Inting said Comelec resolution, which provided rules for Eleksyon 2022 campaign amid pandemic, was crafted when government placed some areas in the country under Alert Level 3.
Now that there is “firm possibility” for some parts of the country to be placed under Alert Level 1 or the least stringent quarantine classification, Inting said they are open to modifying the campaign rules.
In another press conference, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez clarified that changing Comelec rules will still be based on the IATF guidelines.
“I think one of the most telling part is that Inting mentioned our rules are based on the guidelines of IATF…so if IATF changes guidelines, then I think our rules will reflect that change, if that change involves, for example, the lifting of restrictions on attendance, then that would be reflected in our guidelines, including but not limited to face shields ” he said.
Jimenez said protocol on face masks is “unlikely to be removed” but the “doors are open for the recalibration” of their rules on face shields.
Under Section 29 of Comelec Resolution 10732, the Comelec may modify the guidelines “as circumstances may warrant, depending on rules to be issued by the National Government or IATF-MEID.”
Section 14 of the same resolution stated that activities strictly prohibited during in-person campaigns in all Alert Level category levels includes handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm in any action that involves physical contact among candidate, their companions, and the public; taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between candidate and their companions, and the public; distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items; entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner; and crowding, or allowing crowds that violate minimum public health standards (MPHS) around the candidate and his or her companions.
On Tuesday, the Comelec reminded Eleksyon 2022 candidates that they are responsible for the safety of their staff and supporters.
The poll body warned candidates in the 2022 national and local elections of fines and imprisonment if health protocols are violated during their campaign-related activities.
The Comelec emphasized violations of the physical campaign guidelines are considered as election offenses or violations of the MPHS.
The poll commission said an election offense is punishable with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years without probation.
Meanwhile, violators of MPHS may face a fine of not less than P20,000 but not more than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than one month but not more than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
According to the Comelec’s statement, all persons participating in campaign activities in any capacity must wear full-coverage face shields together with face masks.
The poll body also reiterated the need to observe the MPHS at all times.
Several candidates recently called on the poll body to reconsider its regulations for the in-person campaigns.
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