Comelec to revisit reso on campaign rules, says poll body exec

Commissioners of the Commission on Elections have agreed to revisit the resolution stating the rules on campaigning for Eleksyon 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

This was confirmed by Comelec Director Elaiza Sabile David during the briefing at the House suffrage and electoral reforms committee on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Ferdinand Gaite asked if there will be changes in campaigning as the alert level status amid the pandemic has been downgraded.

In response, David said the proposal of newly-appointed Comelec Commissioner George Garcia to review Resolution 10732 during the en banc  meeting was approved. She said the new guidelines would be aligned with the existing alert level being implemented by the government.

"For now, wala pa pong changes na ginawa but I would like to share na rin po 'yung information sa inyo na earlier lang po in the en banc meeting, there was a proposal by the newly-appointed Commissioner George Garcia for a revisit of Resolution 10732 and it was approved po," David said.

(For now, there are no changes yet but I would like to share that earlier in the en banc meeting, there was a proposal by the newly-appointed Commissioner George Garcia for a revisit of Resolution 10732 and it was approved.)

"Because of that, you can expect some changes possibly on Resolution 10732 considering that during the time it was promulgated, stricter pa po talaga and mas mataas po 'yung ating alert level noon," she added.

(Because of that, you can expect some changes possibly on Resolution 10732 considering that during the time it was promulgated, it's still stricter and the alert level was higher.)

David also clarified that the entire resolution would be reviewed and not just some of its provisions.

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."

At present, Alert Level 1 is imposed in Metro Manila and in more than 30 areas across the country.

Meanwhile, David also reminded candidates to be cautious of their activities during the campaign season, including celebrations of their birthdays.

Birthday celebration

This as Cavite Representative Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. made an inquiry if he could celebrate his birthday in March with his constituents. On that day, the campaign period for local candidates will officially start.

Barzaga is a reelectionist in the May 2022 polls.

"Ayoko naman mag-birthday ng March 25 kasi marami sa aking mga kababayan pati na ako, hindi na ako kumakain ng karne during Friday in the Lent Season. On March 26, kung magcelebrate ako ng aking birthday at kung magpakain ako, because on account of my birthday is prohibited under Comelec... I'm celebrating my birthday, I'm celebrating it every March 25, unfortunately, laging bumabagsak sa campaign period..." Barzaga said.

(I don't like to celebrate my birthday on March 25 because a lot of my constituents no longer eat pork amid the Lenten Season. On March 26, if I could celebrate my birthday and if I can treat my constituents? I'm celebrating it every March 25, however, it always falls down in the campaign season.)

"Nililinaw lang natin 'yun so that I can tell my constituents, 'oh pasensya na kayo, bawal ako magpakain kahit birthday ko...'" he added.

(I'm just clarifying it so I can tell my constituents, 'I'm sorry I can not celebrate and treat you on my birthday.)

David maintained that this is prohibited, noting that the ban is also for the protection of seeking government posts.

"If that is prohibited po? Yes po, panahon po kasi ng eleksyon eh..." she said.

(It's prohibited because we are in the election season.)

"For the protection na rin po ng candidates kasi it could lead po, it could be an issue po against the candidate kahit sabihing birthday pa. It's better po siguro, suggestion lang din po, if ano na lang, birthday na tahimik, magsimba na lang Sir kayo..." she added.

(It's also for the protection of candidates because it could be an issue. It's better to celebrate birthdays in a quiet way possible like going to church.) — RSJ, GMA News