Comelec, DOH tell bets: Campaign, but shun big crowds

In wooing votes, aspirants for public posts in Eleksyon 2022 should not put in peril the health and safety of their supporters by preventing big crowds, officials of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

"Do not endanger your supporters just so you can get your crowd, your photo op. You are endangering the lives of those who believe in you," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

"Do not endanger your supporters and do not endanger the rest of the country," he added.

In a separate briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire called on aspirants and their supporters to refrain from organizing big crowds that may lead to disregard for social distancing.

“Sana po huwag po tayong mag-hold ng mga gatherings o mga events na alam natin that will cause overcrowding and this might cause infections in the coming days or weeks,” she said.

Vergeire reminded that Christmas is nearing and maintaining a low number of  COVID-19 cases will lead to a good holiday season for the whole country.

“Parating po ang Pasko ngayon so sana po mapanatili natin mababa ang ating mga kaso para naman po magkaroon tayo ng masayang pasko para sa buong Pilipinas,” she added.

(Christmas is coming. So I hope we can maintain the low number of cases so we will have a happy Christmas for the whole country.)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has also reminded that political rallies are still not allowed due to the threat of the new coronavirus variant Omicron.

Under Philippine laws, those who filed their candidacy last October 1 to 8 and those who entered via substitution until November 15 will only be considered candidates and within Comelec's jurisdiction once the campaign period starts on February 9 for national candidates.

The Comelec earlier warned that hugging and kissing supporters, among others, will not be allowed during the campaign period amid the pandemic. 

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

—LDF, GMA News