Despite the threat of a new Covid-19 surge, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that postponing the upcoming May 2022 polls will not be an option of theirs and vowed to push through with it no matter the circumstances.
"Hindi tayo pwedeng bumali sa mandato ng ating Saligang Batas (We cannot disregard the mandate of our Constitution) that the elections should be held on the 9th of May 2022. So kami nandito (So we're here) to make sure that it does. Kaya nga (That's why) everything is put in place to answer for all contingencies," Commissioner Rey Bulay said on Thursday, April 28 during Comelec's regular press briefing.
Bulay, who is vice chair of the Comelec's New Normal Committee, said that the committee chairperson, Commissioner Aimee Neri wants to Covid-proof the upcoming elections. He mentioned that Neri went ahead and signed a multilateral contract with different department agencies responsible for the control of the spread of COVID-19 and its new sub-variants in connection with election day.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has not discounted the fact that the elections may be postponed during a recent interview. He said that it's still possible if the spike in cases is really high in select areas.
According to Commissioner George Erwin Garcia, postponement of the election is justified only in case of force majeure, violence, terrorism, destruction of election paraphernalia and other analogous causes.
However, Bulay stated that the poll body led by its Comelec Chair Saidamen Pangaranugan has already put up safeguards for Covid-related instances. Aside from this there will also be an Emergency Accessible Polling Place (EAPP). The National Comelec Campaign Committee (NCCC), headed by Bulay, will also install isolated polling places.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said that whatever happens, they will push through with the elections. She added that if there will be a spike in cases the Committee on New Normal is prepared to respond.
"I don’t think we can postpone the elections. We have already prepared for any eventualities, we have the supplies ready, we have already trained all election workers, so kung may mga kakulian (obstacles), we have prepared for that. We have contingency measures," she said.
On the other hand, Casquejo said that suspending the elections is not an option, and that the Comelec will conduct it as mandated by the Constitution. He said that having extensive experience when it comes to the elections since 2004, they are already well-aware of the possible scenarios and untoward incidents that may happen.
So with that we made some preparations, mayroon na tayong mga contingency measures and in our election day, we have our Comelec Emergency Monitoring Action Committee (CEMAC) to answer all those problems," he added.