- Comelec lists down guidelines for the start of the campaign period
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Category levels to be hoisted in different areas
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Various acts prohibited during in-person campaigns, conventions, Miting de Avance and Rallies in all category level
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases are gradually dipping in the most favorable time for candidates in the Philippines.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, political campaigns in the country were like town fiestas on the move with candidates shifting from one place to another like a train carrying coaches of supporters with them wherever they went.
Crowds wearing oversized shirts of color bearing the names of their pet candidates, would brave densely-packed venues, plazas and streets just to express their undying support or get a glimpse of their so called idols in politics.
Now, with a deadly virus on the loose, nothing seems to have changed in the mood of these types of gatherings as motorcades hosted by the then aspirants way before the campaign period even started, attracted thousands of citizens. The only noticeable difference is a masked crowd carrying sanitizers and canisters with 70 percent Isopropyl alcohol.
But the Commission on Elections (Comelec) believes that protocols must be put in place to ensure the safety not only of their personnel but also the public.
For this reason mainly, the poll body promulgated on Nov. 24, 2021 Resolution No. 10732 containing the set of guidelines to be followed in the conduct of political campaigns and to make sure that these activities adhere to Minimum Public Health Standards (MPHS).
Approval first
"They can't campaign willy-nilly, they have to secure campaign permits from the campaign committee," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
No election campaign activity can be conducted according to the resolution, without first obtaining prior approval from the corresponding Comelec Campaign Committee (CCC). Applications for the conduct of election campaign activities shall be filed at least 72 hours prior to the intended schedule, according to the resolution.
For Presidential, Vice Presidential, Senatorial, and Party-List candidates it should be filed with the Regional Comelec Campaign Committee (RCCC).
For fo Gubernatiorial, Vice Gubernatorial, District Representative, and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Candidates, it should be filed with the Provincial Comelec Campaign Committee (PCCC).
Lastly for the Mayoralty, Vice Mayoralty, and Sangguniang Bayan/Panlungsod candidates, it should be filed with the Municipal/City Comelec Campaign Committee (M/CCCC).
The candidate or his/her duly authorized representative; and the duly authorized representative of the accredited political party, party-list, or coalition may apply for the permit.
Category levels
There are five category levels that will be followed depending on the alert level classification of a certain area.
For example, Category Level 1 will be the standard for areas under the "new normal" or equivalent to Alert Level 1 of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases' (IATF-MEID) Alert Level System. This goes the same for Category Level 2 and so on.
Section 12 of the resolution specifies the allowable election campaign activities under each category level.
A. In-person Campaign:
Category Level 1 - No limit
Category Level 2 - A candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff.
Category Level 3 - A candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of three campaign support staff.
Category Level 4 - Not allowed Category Level 5 - Not allowed
B. For Caucuses, Meetings, Convention, Rallies and Miting de Avance:
Category Level 1 - Allowed up to 70% of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor
Category Level 2 - Allowed up to 50% of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor
Category Level 3 - Allowed up to 50% of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only
Category Level 4 - Allowed up to 30% of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only Category Level 5 - Not allowed
Under the resolution, it states that the M/CCCC may, at their own initiative, by unanimous vote, raise the category level of its area of jurisdiction but in no case may it reclassify the category level to one lower than that imposed by the National Comelec Campaign Committee (NCCC).
Meanwhile, Section 19 of the resolution mentioned that any candidate, or any accredited political party, party-list or coalition may request for the reconsideration of a reclassification made by the M/CCCC through a written request filed with the PCCC having authority over the city or municipality. The PCCC shall decide on said request within two days upon receipt of the request.
The NCCC has the authority to classify the category level of each region, province, city and municipality and will review it every 14 days, or as it may deem necessary.
Prohibited acts
The resolution also stated that the following activities are strictly prohibited during in-person campaigns in all category levels:
- Entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner;
- Crowding, or allowing there to be, crowds that violate MPHS around the candidate and his or her companions;
- Handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-ar or any action that involves physical contact among the candi their companions, and the public;
- Taking selfie photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public; an
- Distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items.
On the other hand the resolution also mentioned that the following activities are strictly prohibited during conventions, Miting de Avance and Rallies, in all Category Levels:
- Handshakes, hugs, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public;
- Taki selfie photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public; and
- Distribution of food and drinks, and all other goods or items.
E-rallies
A new platform for campaigning introduced by Comelec that candidates may use are e-rallies. The concept of the e-rally is mentioned under Resolution No. 10730 or the Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act 9006 or the “Fair Elections Act”.
The said e-rally livestreams will be posted on the COMELEC’s official social media pages.
"During each livestream, the candidate will be allowed to see live comments to his livestream. The candidate may or may not respond to live comments," the resolution stated.
E-rally airtime shall be allotted to each Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and Senatorial candidate, as well as to each Party-List Organization.
Comelec said that livestreaming of e-rallies shall be conducted every night, beginning February 8, 2022, on its official social media channels.
Monitoring and Implementation
Barangay officials, Tanods, and Members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) are designated under Section 25 of the resolution to impose strict observance with MPHS during the conduct of election campaign activities.
On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as the case may be, are designated maintain order and security during the conduct of election campaign activities, and to coordinate with the Barangay officials, tanods, and BHERT in the discharge of their functions, as necessary.
Also, within 72 hours after every activity, the candidate or his/her duly authorized representative shall submit to the CCC concerned an Affidavit of Compliance.
Sanctions
Under Section 27 of the resolution, Comelec stated htat committing an act constituting a violation of Sections 87, 88 and 89 of the Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), shall be prosecuted under Section 262 of the OEC.
"If proven guilty, he/she shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years and shall not be subject to probation," it said.
"In addition, the guilty party shall be sentenced to suffer disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage," it further mentioned.
In case of a clear violation of following the MPHS, the Department of Health (DOH) or its local counterparts, as member of the CCC, shall, with knowledge of the CCC, take action in order to prosecute violators under Section 9 (d) of Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and Section 1 (f), Rule XI of its 2020 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, and under relevant laws and rules
In spite of the many changes put in place by the poll body to ensure everyone's safety, the true essence of political campaigns lie in the message of each candidate to voters. It's the opportune time for them to express their true intentions behind gunning for public office.
In the end, the fate of the country is in the hands of the electorate who must not be blinded by malicious means as well as dubious ploys but instead be enlightened with honesty, integrity and capability.
In the announcement made by the COMELEC in Resolution No. 10695 dated February 10, 2021, the campaign period for the 2022 elections are as follows: February 8 to May 7, 2022 will be for Presidential, Vice Presidential, Senatorial candidates and Party-list groups participating in the party-list system of representation.
March 25 to May 7, 2022 will be for members of the House of Representatives and elective regional, provincial, city and municipal officials.