DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte released an executive order prohibiting government officials from joining political activities that include the “Run Sara Run” movement.
During her program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 Monday, said the EO will forbid local officials from joining political activities that include caravan, meeting, rally, parade, program, and all other forms of gatherings organized for the purpose of urging the presidential daughter to run for President in 2022.
“Why do we need to prohibit our government personnel, including barangay officials, from joining political activities outside the city? Because traveling for non-essential purposes is a cause for caution as it poses a danger to the health of the travelers due to the pandemic,” she said.
Around 60 individuals, including former and incumbent barangay officials, ventured on a national caravan in Metro Manila despite the Mayor’s incessant reminder to call it off due to the alarming surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases there.
“Political activity is considered a non-essential travel, and people usually gather during political activities. I have not seen any political activity that does not draw in people. When people gather during mass gatherings, there is higher risk of transmission among themselves,” she said.
Conveners of the “Run, Sara, Run” caravan in Manila last March 21 have been placed in quarantine at a facility in the city.
Health authorities in the country detected an increasing number of cases of South African and UK variants in the National Capital Region and Cebu, including the latest variant called “P-3” that was first detected in the Philippines.