Comelec prohibits physical contact during in-person campaigning

MANILA, Philippines — Any form of physical contact during in-person campaigning for the May 2022 polls is a violation of the Omnibus Election Code and election health protocols, which could lead to the disqualification of a candidate, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned yesterday.

In a 21-page “new normal” guideline in the conduct of in-person campaigning, the Comelec said that any physical contact among candidates, their companions and the public is strictly prohibited as the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the banned forms of physical contacts during in-person campaigning are handshaking, hugging, kissing, going arm-in-arm (including the taking of selfies or photographs) and other similar activities that require close proximity among the candidate, their companions and the public.

In-person campaigning for the 2022 national and local elections includes any form of physical activities such as rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans and miting de avance.

The Comelec said any person found guilty for violating the Omnibus Election Code will be punished with imprisonment between one to six years, “sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office” and will be deprived of the right to suffrage.

Violators of the minimum public health standards could be fined between P20,000 to P50,000 or imprisoned between one to six years, or both.

The poll body also prohibited candidates and their companions from distributing food, drinks and all other goods or items. They are also barred from entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the consent of the homeowner.

Crowding around candidates and their companions for in-person campaigning is also banned as this violates the minimum public health standards set by the government for social gathering.

As to the number of companions during in-person campaigning, a candidate may bring as many in places under Alert Level 1. However, this will be limited to a maximum of only five support staff in places under Alert Level 2 and only three in areas under Alert Level 3.

For places under Alert Levels 4 and 5, in-person campaigning will not be allowed.

During caucuses, meetings, conventions, rallies and miting de avance, the Comelec said that the allowed operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor, is up to 70 percent for areas under Alert Level 1.

This is going to be reduced to only 50 percent for areas under Alert Levels 2 and 3, and down to 30 percent for Alert Level 4.

However, all those types of gatherings are prohibited in places under Alert Level 5.

For motorcades and caravans, only candidates, campaign leaders and supporters belonging to the same household will be allowed to ride in the same vehicle.

Stopovers, layovers and other similar stoppage for the conduct of campaign activities are prohibited in all category levels including any form of physical contact.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the in-person campaign guidelines under the new normal for the May 2022 polls were promulgated to ensure that campaigns are safe and that the people who will attend campaign activities are protected from the possibility of getting infected with COVID-19.

He added that the poll body would be working with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that the new rules are followed.

The Comelec has set the campaign period from Feb. 8 to May 7, 2022 for president, vice-president, senator and party-list groups; and from March 25 to May 7, 2022 for members of House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials.

No campaigning is allowed on April 14 and 15, 2022, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, respectively, and on the day before and after the May 9 elections.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will launch on Nov. 28 the “Prayer for 2022 Elections” campaign to ask for a peaceful, credible and transparent holding of the May 2022 polls.

In a statement, CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said that the “prayer power campaign” is a request of election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

“The prayer is similar to the ‘Oratio Imperata’ but its focus is on the 16 values enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution,” Valles said.

Noting that the Catholic Church is already reciting several prayers on Sunday masses, Valles said that the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy recommends reciting the Oratio Imperata against COVID-19 before the mass while prayers for the 2022 polls will be held every first and third Sunday of the month.