COMELEC reminds bets of campaign Dos and Don’ts

CEBU, Philippines —  The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has reminded all the candidates both local and national of the Dos and Don’ts during the campaign period.

Lawyer Jerome Brillantes, acting provincial election supervisor of Cebu Province, said the minimum health protocols must be observed by the candidates and their campaign staff.

“Because of COVID-19 akong gi-encourage ang atong mga candidates not only the national candidates, but we all know the local candidates as well, naa naman nag suroy suroy naman ni sila… but they have to observe sa atong minimum protocols. As to the national candidates, aside from observing the minimum health protocols, naa tay mga dos and don’ts nga dili pwede kaning house-to-house even with the consent sa atong mga tagbalay,” Brillantes said.

Holding political rallies are allowed but candidates must secure a permit not just from the Comelec but from the local government unit where the rally will be held.

Brillantes has encouraged voters to participate in E-rallies, a platform provided by the Comelec for free live streaming of the national candidates, where aspirants are given the chance to present their platforms.

This is one of the modified ways the Comelec has done for the campaign period since the country is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic. The live streaming of E-rallies will be conducted every night starting today, February 8. The campaign period for national positions is from Feb. 8, 2022 to May 7, 2022 or 90 days before the elections while campaign period for local candidates starts on March 25, 2022 until May 7, 2022.

The Comelec is also holding webinars for trainors of the members of electoral board starting next month in preparation for the May 9, 2022 elections. Brillantes, who is provincial election supervisor of Siquijor, was reassigned to Cebu effective January 15, 2022 as part of the reshuffling of the COMELEC.

Cebu provincial election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano was also transferred to Negros Oriental. — FPL (FREEMAN)