Robredo camp preparing for online, hybrid launch of rallies due to COVID-19 threat

The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo is preparing for two scenarios for the launch of their campaign rallies next week, Robredo's spokesperson said on  Thursday.

At a forum organized by opposition coalition 1Sambayan, lawyer Barry Gutierrez said they are preparing for the possibility of having online launch of their rallies or even in hybrid form given the "uncertainty" of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stressed that Robredo's camp is ready to follow if there will be adjustments to the regulations which will be imposed by the Commission on Elections and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

"Dahil nga sa uncertainty na nag-a-arise from the COVID situation, 'di natin alam, baka mamaya pagdating nga next week, mayroon na namang mas mahigpit na restrictions. We’re actually planning two possible launches. Isa, 'yung current, 'yung mayroong physical event and then one which is completely online," Gutierrez said.

(Because of the uncertainty of the COVID-19 situation, we don't know, maybe next week there will be stiffer restrictions. We're actually planning two possible launches, one will be with a physical event while the other scenario would be purely online.)

"So kung sakali mang in the next few days, mag-i-issue ang Comelec in accordance with IATF na hindi pwedeng magkaroon or sobrang limited 'yung physical event dahil sa COVID, we will comply and we are ready to go completely online or a hybrid of the two," he added.

(If in the next few days the Comelec, in accordance with IATF, will limit or prohibit physical events due to COVID, we will comply and we are ready to go completely online or a hybrid of the two.)

The Robredo camp is expecting that the entire campaign for the 2022 elections would be a challenge due to the continuing threat brought by the coronavirus.

"As much as possible siyempre gusto namin i-maximize 'yung possibility of face to face campaigning, magkaroon ng physical activities dahil tingin namin importante ito but definitely we will take every measure to ensure na 'yung safety ng mga taong makakausap natin, mga magpaparticipate sa mga events," he said.

(We want to maximize the possibility of face to face campaigning and physical activities because we think it's important. But definitely, we will take every measure to ensure the safety of the public.)

Robredo, with her running-mate Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, will hold proclamation rallies in the Bicol region on February 8 and 9. — RSJ, GMA News