Comelec on preps for May 2022 polls: 'We are still okay'
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said their preparations for the May 2022 polls are still okay amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

"In so far as our timeline, I must admit... we are experiencing hardship in meeting several activities because of the pandemic. But we are still okay," Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz said Monday, July 12, during the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with Robinsons Malls.
He cited the longer procurement timeline in the procurement of forms, equipment and materials as example.
"We needed to have a longer procurement timeline because it has an effect on our verification efforts," Sinocruz said.
The Comelec, meantime, will have a public walk through next month on their preparations.
"We are looking at the first half of August to conduct the first look at the Sta. Rosa facility of Comelec. Our friends in the media will get the first look on our preparations," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said.
"One of the things that we want you to know is that even at this current stage of preparations, we’re already adjusting to the COVID-19 conditions," he added.
The poll body together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are also set to conduct this week an on-site threat assessment and security evaluation at the Comelec main office, the warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and the National Printing Office.
"This is to check the security protocol in place,and threat assessment and evaluation...to make sure the security are in place especially at NPO and in Sta. Rosa before our activities start," Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations (DEDO) Teopisto Elnas, Jr. said.