Año: Raps to be filed vs. protocol violators during campaign period

The Department of the Interior and Local Government on Sunday warned health protocols violators during campaign period -- candidates and supporters alike -- they will surely face charges for any offense.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said coordination efforts are being done among political parties and candidates to remind their supporters to observe COVID-19 health protocols during political campaign gatherings.

“Hindi naman tayo mamimili na kasuhan ‘yung mga kadidato, sympathizers, supporters nila na kapag may paglabag” (We will be fair in filing possible charges, regardless of whether they are candidates or supporters), he stressed.

“Dalawang paglabag ‘yan. ‘Yung sa Omnibus Election Code, na pupwedeng makulong ng isa hanggang anim na taon ang mga kandidato at perpetual disqualification. Sa mga supporters naman na hindi sumunod, pwede nating i-apply ‘yung RA 11332, atsaka mga ordinansa ng LGUs,” he added.

(There are two possible violations. First is against the Omnibus Election Code wherein a candidate who violated may face one to six years of imprisonment and perpetual disqualification. For supporters, we can apply the RA 11332, and ordinances of their respective local government units.)

Due to the pandemic, aspirants are prohibited from shaking the hands of voters, or doing any act that involves physical contact during the campaign period. READ: Dos and Don'ts during campaign season amid the pandemic.

Año then urged the aspirants to follow the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10732 imposing restrictions on in-person campaigning.

He said that if they see any violations of such a policy in certain areas, they will directly report it to the concerned officials to investigate the matter and see if cases need to be filed against them.

“Ire-refer kaagad natin sa appropriate agency. Kapag violation ng Election Code, of course, that’s under now the Comelec. Pwede silang mabibigyan kung ide-disqualify na or kasuhan sa korte ‘yung kandidato,” the DILG chief said.

(We will immediately refer the violators to the appropriate agency. As for the violation of the Election Code, that’s under the Comelec. They can check if the candidate could be disqualified or charged in court.)

“Kami naman sa law enforcement, of course, kapag dumating na sa violation ng public health protocols, automatically  sasampahan naman natin ng kaso ‘yan at iimbestigihan,” he added.

(When it comes to violation of public health protocols, we in the law enforcement will automatically file a case and investigate.)

On the other hand, Año warned terrorist groups not to ask for monetary support from Eleksyon 2022 aspirants and vice versa.

“Sa mga kandidato na magbibigay niyan, ako na mismo magsasabi na kasasuhan natin sila. May mga appropriate na batas diyan. Lalo na sa mga incumbent, hindi talaga pupwede na magbibigay sila ng anumang pera, materyal, armas sa mga CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army),” he said.

(We will sue the candidates who will give money to armed groups. There are appropriate laws for that. Especially to the incumbents, it is not really allowed for them to give any money, materials, weapons to the CPP-NPA.) —LBG, GMA News