Comelec releases reso amending rules on Eleksyon 2022 gun ban

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the copy of its latest resolution which amended the poll body's policy on gun ban exemption for Eleksyon 2022.

At a press conference earlier this week, Comelec chairman Saidamen Pangarungan announced that the poll body will give automatic gun ban exemption to  the Office of the Vice President, senators, congressmen, court justices, Cabinet secretaries up to assistant secretaries plus their security detail.

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, and election officers were also granted the same privilege.

Comelec Resolution 10777 has amended Resolution No. 10728 which states the prohibition on unauthorized firearms and bodyguards ahead of the election period.

The Comelec resolution bans bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or deadly weapons outside residence or place of business and in all public places from January 9 to June 8, 2022 or for a total of 150 calendar days.

Pangarungan said the amendment aims to expedite and simplify the grant of exemptions to the ban on the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms or other deadly weapons, as well as ammunitions and explosives or their components, to deserving applicant public officials.

Comelec Resolution 10777 also authorizes Pangarungan to grant gun ban exemptions for “urgent and meritorious cases,” as well as place identified election areas of concern under the poll body's control.

The power given to Pangarungan, however, was opposed by three Comelec senior commissioners, namely Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo, and Aimee Ferolino.

On Tuesday, Inting resigned as the chairperson of the Committee on Firearms and Security Concerns due to the latest amendment to the gun ban policy.

To show support to Inting, Ferolino and Casquejo  donned black clothes during the Comelec en banc session on Wednesday.

Pangarungan, Commissioners George Garcia, Rey Bulay, and Aimee Neri all voted in favor of Comelec Resolution No. 10777 while Inting, Casquejo, and Ferolino voted against the policy.

The gun ban started on January 9 this year as the election period officially started that day.—Hana Bordey/AOL, GMA News