Comelec bans handshakes, hugs, etc. in Eleksyon 2022 campaign

Candidates in Eleksyon 2022 are prohibited from shaking the hands of voters during the campaign period amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.

This is provided under Comelec Resolution 10372 on the guidelines for the conduct of the in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings/conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance.

Section 14 of the Resolution states that the following activities  are strictly prohibited during in-person campaigns in all Alert Level category levels:

• handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm in any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions , and the public;
• taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the 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.

The first three activities listed under Section 14 are also prohibited during miting de avance.

"These [prohibitions] are the logical conclusion of the social distancing idea, para hindi tayo magkahawa-hawa (so we won't transmit virus)," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

The campaign period for candidates running for national post starts on February 9, 2022. The campaign period for local candidates, on the other hand, starts a month later on March 9, 2022.

"We can implement it by telling this to everyone, and we expect everyone to comply," Jimenez said.

The Comelec Resolution also imposed restrictions on motorcades since only candidates, campaign leaders, and supporters belonging to the same household would be allowed to be in the same vehicle.

Likewise, motorcades in areas under Alert Levels 1 to 4 should not have stopovers, layovers, and other similar stoppages for the conduct of other election campaign activities.

The following are also prohibited during the conduct of motorcade:

• Handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions
• the public taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public; and
• distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items.

Jimenez, however, said that the candidates can still appeal these guidelines.

"Yes, anyone can write to the Comelec about these regulations so we can take action," Jimenez said.

"These [appeals] will be resolved by the Comelec en banc," Jimenez said. -NB, GMA News