Rule breakers

In just the two months since the supposedly mild Omicron was first reported, the highly contagious COVID variant has killed over 500,000 people around the world.

This is according to the World Health Organization, which can’t stress enough that Omicron is merely milder than the deadly Delta and Alpha variants, and can still cause critical infection that can lead to death.

Omicron, as we have seen in the recent surge in Metro Manila, can be mild only for the fully vaccinated and boosted. Even an asymptomatic patient, however, still has the coronavirus and can infect the vulnerable elderly and immunocompromised, who can die of COVID or pneumonia and other post-COVID complications.

In the Philippines, doctors and health officials have reported a spike in pediatric COVID cases since the arrival of Omicron. Unlike the original virus from China’s Wuhan City, Omicron can infect even children, most of whom are not yet vaccinated.

These points should be considered by all the pasaway candidates who have ignored pandemic safety protocols as the campaign gets underway.

The first day of the official campaign period was a disappointing display of blatant disregard of COVID health protocols – prohibited under pandemic election rules – by most of those who are applying to lead the country.

If they can flout the rules even before they are elected, think of what they will do if they win.

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There was dismay among officials of the Department of Health, the Commission on Elections and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) plus OCTA Research fellows tracking COVID infections. Both the DOH and OCTA warned that the country should brace for a possible COVID spike in two or three weeks, especially in areas with low vaccination rates – and there are still many of them.

Even in highly vaccinated Metro Manila, an election campaign-driven COVID spike can mean renewed restrictions and granular lockdowns – always bad news for livelihoods.

Health experts were distressed by the sight of crowds gathered at the proclamation rallies of practically all the major candidates for national positions. Physical distancing was nearly non-existent, and video close-ups showed a number of people without masks, or using them as accessory, worn around the chin instead of covering the nose and mouth.

This was despite the Comelec’s release of detailed rules on the no-nos during campaign gatherings: no handshakes or selfies, no eating. The Comelec has warned that violations, including non-compliance with basic COVID health protocols such as masking and physical distancing will be considered election offenses. Many seem unaware that face shields are required during rallies.

Yet we saw what happened, as documented on video and photos, with incriminating materials even distributed to mainstream and social media by the candidates’ camps themselves.

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Difficulty with compliance is understandable. The traditional proclamation rally is a show of force: the larger the crowd, the better. Sadly, all six candidates for president who are rating in the surveys could not break tradition, even in the time of COVID.

While the candidates at times maintained some distance from the rally participants, separated by a stage or a human cordon, others waded right into the packed crowd, shaking hands and stopping for selfies, cheek by jowl with those asking for the photos. Yesterday, the DILG said some politicians wanted the ban on selfies lifted.

The chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, Sen. Richard Gordon, summed up the dilemma of those on the stump: how can you say no to such requests, when doing so could be alienating and could mean lost votes?

Still, these are extraordinary times; the nation, like the rest of the world, is battling a once-in-a-century public health crisis. Those seeking to lead the country are supposed to lead by example in complying with health safety protocols, and to protect the people from potential superspreader activities.

Because compliance is challenging, the candidates’ leadership by example becomes all the more important, especially for their followers at the grassroots. This is the demographic that believes COVID vaccines will turn them into zombies in two years; they are the most in need of the right role models.

Gordon spoke to “The Chiefs” on OneNews last Tuesday night from Camarines Sur, where he was attending the proclamation rally of the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. The “kakampinks” have adopted Gordon in their Senate slate.

He told us it was tough to heed the Comelec prohibition.

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Gordon also sniffed at the “hypocrisy” of the rules, noting that for candidates with the means and connections, the campaign started many months ago, with only one phrase missing in their campaign materials: “Vote for… ”

We have seen these candidates plastering practically every available space with their posters and massive billboards, and placing costly ads on broadcast and social media as if they have found the fabled treasure of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita.

Messages related to COVID and vaccination have been among the most popular. In my neck of the woods, a vehicle goes around neighborhoods almost daily, blaring a message on a loop for people to get vaccinated. But the vehicle is surrounded by posters of a local candidate. He definitely won’t have my vote.

People are wondering what the Comelec will do, beyond expressing dismay, about those who are brazenly ignoring campaign rules.

The Comelec can take some comfort in the thought that public expectations are pretty low regarding its capability to enforce its own rules and election laws.

People are wondering if the Comelec can even compel candidates to participate in debates organized by the poll body itself rather than private groups – and what the consequences will be for refusal.

Retired Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon believes that the constitutional body, whose mandate is to supervise the entire electoral process, can compel candidates’ attendance at such debates.

If the Comelec says attendance is mandatory, will the candidates comply? And if they don’t, can the Comelec do anything about it, before the Supreme Court, often co-opted by vested interests, sticks in its nose and overrules the poll body or issues an indefinite TRO?

Election campaigns give a good idea of what lies ahead for the nation in case a particular candidate wins. Influence peddling, cronyism and corruption in any administration often have their roots in election campaigns.

So do the entitlements, the lack of transparency and disregard for the rules. Including those set by the Comelec.

It’s the story of our country: so many rules, weak enforcement.