Comelec guidelines only applicable during campaign period —spox

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said its recently-approved guidelines for the conduct of in-person campaign and rallies would only take effect in February.

In a radio interview, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez however lamented that health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic are hardly being observed as aspirants in the 2022 elections start going to the provinces.

“Mukhang hindi naman [nasusunod]. For one thing, hindi pa applicable ang guidelines namin. Kakagat pa lang ‘yan pagdating ng Pebrero. February 8 for national [candidates], March 25 for local candidates,” he said.

(It appears that the protocols are not being followed. For one thing, our guidelines are not yet applicable. It will take effect on February 8 for national candidates and March 25 for local candidates.)

“Pero sa nakikita natin ngayon, nilabas nga natin nang maaga para sana may guidelines ang mga kandidato pero wala, ‘di naman sinusunod, siksikan pa rin ang mga tao,” he added.

(We have released the guidelines so that the candidates will consider these as early as now, but what we are seeing is the guidelines were not being followed and there were still overcrowding.)

Jimenez said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is tasked to monitor election-related activities outside the campaign period.

“Kaya natutuwa kami na nananawagan ang DILG patungkol sa mga rally na ‘yan na maging maingat ang mga kandidato. Kami dinadagdag namin ang panawagn ng DILG dahil sa totoo lang, ‘yan ang authority sa ngayon,” he said.

(That is why we are glad that the DILG is making statements about the rallies, reminding the candidates to be careful. We join the DILG’s call because they are the authority tasked to monitor these activities for now.)

As early as November, the Comelec said violations of health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic during campaign activities in the 2022 elections will be considered election offenses.

Even if the activities are organized by supporters, Jimenez said it is “possible” that candidates will be held liable for any violation of health protocols if proven that they are involved in the gathering.

“Kung ang kandidato ay pumayag, possible na umabot sa kanya ang kaso. Pero kailangan patunayan na meron syang involvement doon,” he said.

(If the candidates approved the gathering, it is possible that they would be included in the case. But their involvement must be proven.)

“Ang violation ng aming rules ay isang election offense which means puwede silang makasuhan ng disqualification,” he added.

(The violation of our rules is an election offense, which means they may face a disqualification case.) —KBK, GMA News