Enforce health protocols at poll events, PNP told

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) and all local government units to ensure that minimum health standards are strictly enforced during political activities to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“The 2022 election is a very important event for the country but we must take into consideration that we are still currently battling an enemy that thrives in gatherings. We expect the LGUs and the PNP to strictly enforce the poll guidelines,” Año said in a statement.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, one of the partner agencies of the Commission on Elections, is tasked to implement Resolution 10732 that outlines the guidelines for the conduct of 2022 political activities amid the pandemic.

All physical contact – such as handshakes, high fives and kisses – among candidates and the public is disallowed. The taking of selfies and other activities that require close proximity, such as distribution of food and drinks, are also prohibited.

Under Alert Levels 3 and 2, in-person campaigns are allowed but candidates must only be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff. Candidates cannot enter any private dwelling and should avoid crowding. Motorcades are allowed in all quarantine levels.

Meetings, rallies and other conventions are allowed depending on the operational capacity of the venue and the alert level.

Meanwhile, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has called on the public to exert more effort to combat disinformation as the May 9 national and local elections near.

In an article posted on the official website of the CBCP, he said it is every Filipino’s concern to work on addressing false information especially on social media as the country heads toward the May 9 presidential elections.

“I hope and pray that more individuals and organizations will join in this proactive fight against the use of social media for disinformation,” David said during the launching of #FactsFirstPH, which is an initiative that seeks to promote truth and fight disinformation.

He added that the public can count on the Catholic Church as the country’s ally against disinformation. – Robertzon Ramirez