Comelec open to reviewing rules on campaigning after complaints from candidates —Inting

The Commission on Elections is open to reviewing the guidelines for the in-person campaigning for Eleksyon 2022 following several complaints from different candidates. 

This was stated by acting Comelec Chairman Socorro Inting in a press conference Wednesday morning.

In explaining the current guidelines, Inting said the Comelec resolution, which provided the rules for the Eleksyon 2022 campaign amid the pandemic, was crafted when the government placed some areas in the country under Alert Level 3.

“Our rules regarding [the 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,” she said.

Now that there is a “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.

“Maybe we will review our rules on the campaigns,” she added.

In another press conference, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez clarified that any changes to the campaign rules will still be based on the IATF guidelines.

“I think one of the most telling part is that she (Inting) mentioned is that our rules are based on the guidelines of the IATF. So if the IATF changes the guidelines, then I think our rules will reflect that change," he said.

"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 the 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 the circumstances may warrant, depending on the rules to be issued by the National Government or the IATF-MEID.”

Section 14 of the same resolution stated 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.

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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 that 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.

In a dialogue with vendors in Sta. Mesa, Manila, presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao said it is against Filipino values to refuse physical contact with the public during campaigns, such as handshakes, embraces, and kisses.

"Ganu'n din 'yung iba eh. Mahirap kasing tanggihan 'yung requests ng mga tao. Pangit naman kung tatanggihan mo. Hindi naman tayo maka-Pilipino niyan. Ang Pilipino kasi accommodating at compassionate, nagmamahalan sa isa't isa, kaya ipinakita lang natin ang pagiging tunay na Pilipino," Pacquiao said.

(The others do just the same. It is difficult to refuse people's requests. It would be impolite of you to refuse. For such a thing, we are not Filipinos. Filipinos are accommodating and compassionate people. They love each other. We just demonstrated what it means to be a Filipino.)

He then appealed to the Comelec "to review their guidelines again and ease their restrictions." — with a report from Jamil Santos/KG/VBL, GMA News