Former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. on Monday, Sept. 27 urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to allow families under granular lockdowns to continue receiving relief packs from their local government units (LGUs) as there is still no sign of the COVID-19 pandemic letting up.

Marcos called on the poll body to issue an exemption order to its Resolution No. 10695 which set the calendar of activities for the May 9, 2022 presidential elections, particularly the prohibition on giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, from the start of the campaign period for national positions to election day.

‘’Inisip ko ang mga taong maapektuhan ng campaign period kaysa mga kandidatong gaya ko (I am more concerned about the people who will be affected by the campaign period than us candidates). Paano na ‘yung mga pamilyang nasa lugar na may granular lockdown (How about the people living in ‘’granular lockdown) areas?” he asked.

`Under the resolution, giving donations or gifts, in cash or in-kind, is prohibited from February 8 to May 9, 2022.

Marcos pointed out that unless the Comelec issues an exemption order, residents of areas under granular lockdown, who are barred from leaving their homes, might not be able to get aid, in the form of relief goods, from their LGUs.

“Parang may tali ang kamay ng mga taga-LGUs (As if the hands of LGUs are tied down). Pero ang mas kawawa ay ang mga pamilyang hindi mahahatiran ng ayuda (assistance) na hindi pa pwedeng lumabas sa kanilang mga tahanan (What is deplorable are the conditions of people living in areas where assistance could not be delivered as they are forbidden to live their homes),” he said.

====30==