Some political parties asking Comelec to allow selfies in campaign rallies —DILG spox

Some political parties have submitted petitions to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) asking it to allow selfies in campaign rallies, Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said Thursday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Malaya said the department, which is monitoring the implementation of health protocols in campaign rallies, is waiting for the decision of the Comelec on the matter.

“Ang alam ko po may petition na ang ilang political parties sa Commission on Elections, so inaantay na lang po natin yung kanilang magiging decision,” he said.

(From what I know some political parties already have petitions to the Commission on Elections, so we are just waiting for the decision.)

"Kami po ay deputized lamang ng Comelec at kami po ay hindi gumagawa ng polisiya," he added.

(We are just deputized by the Comelec, we don't come up with the policies.)

Under Section 14 of Comelec Resolution 10372, among the prohibited activities during in-person campaigns is taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public.

Any election offense will be punishable under Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code, which enforces imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years to violators.

The guilty party will be disqualified to hold public office and will be deprived of voting rights.

Any political party found guilty of an election offense will pay not less than P10,000 after criminal action has been instituted in which their officials have been found guilty. —KBK, GMA News