PSG: Limit on number of companions during COC filing doesn't apply to Duterte
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 8:19 p.m.) — The Presidential Security Group will insist on securing President Rodrigo Duterte when he files his certificate of candidacy despite the limits set by the Commission on Elections on the number of people who can enter the filing area.
Poll officials have said candidates running for president and vice president would only be allowed up to three companions as a safety measure against COVID-19.
"That is for aspirants. Remember, if he (Duterte) will file as an aspirant, he is still the president," Col. Randolph Cabangbang, PSG chief, told reporters Wednesday.
"So the mandate of securing the president is only being given to the PSG. The Comelec cannot say that it would be the one to secure the president," he said, adding he has met with the Comelec about security arrangements for Duterte.
An exception will likely be made for Duterte and the PSG. In 2018, Comelec allowed Duterte, several Cabinet members and various supporters into the area for filing COCs when Christopher Go filed his papers to run for senator. Other candidates were only allowed four companions.
Duterte has accepted the nomination of his allies at the PDP-Laban to run for vice president next year. The faction of PDP-Laban that Duterte belongs to has also nominated Sen. Go as its presidential candidate.
The senator has declined but party officials said they will wait for him to change his mind.
Asked if Duterte would personally file his COC, Cabangbang replied: "We are just anticipating. It's not possible for us to draw plans only after he said he would do something. We always do advance planning and even months ahead."
Cabangbang said the PSG continues to observe health protocols like physical distancing and the wearing of face masks and face shields despite the improvements in the pandemic situation. People who will interact with Duterte are also required to undergo RT-PCR and antigen tests, he added.
"For the PSG, every two days, every 48 hours, we undergo RT-PCR (tests). Everyday, we take antigen tests...especially those who will go near the president," Cabangbang said.
(Editor's note: This article has been updated to indicate that candidates for president and vice president will be allowed up to three companions when filing their COCs. Candidates for other positions are only allowed one companion.)
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