The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned candidates of strict sanctions if they violate the guidelines set by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for the coming May 9 national and local polls.

In a briefing with President Duterte Monday night, Jan. 24, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año stressed there is legal basis for the department to support and enforce the guidelines set in COMELEC Resolution No. 10732.

Año noted that candidates caught violating the rules of the COMELEC Resolution will suffer the penalty under the Omnibus Election Code where the violator may be imprisoned from one to six years and be meted with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Under Section 28 of the COMELEC Resolution, Año said that a candidate who breaks the minimum public health standards (MPHS) may suffer the consequence of the penalty imposed under Republic Act (RA) 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, or local ordinances.

Under the said resolution, Año noted its provisions pertaining to in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance under the "new normal."

During the campaign period, Año stated that local government units (LGUs) should strictly implement the COMELEC guidelines in their respective areas of jurisdiction and act on all the complaints they will receive.

In addition, Año emphasized that LGUs must adopt the necessary measures and strategies to comply with the COMELEC guidelines, and streamline existing LGU policies with the issuance and ensure the observance of the guidelines within their localities.

He disclosed that Section 25 of COMELEC Resolution No. 10732 implores the barangay officials, tanods (village security officers) and members of Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) “to impose strict observance with minimum public health standards during the conduct of campaign activities.’’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will also be tasked to maintain peace and order during the conduct of election campaign activities.

Allowable election campaign activities per category level

For in-person campaigning under Section 12 of the COMELEC Resolution, Año said that there is no limit in the number of persons in areas under alert level 1 while a candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff in alert level 2 places.

In localities under alert level 3, a candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of three campaign support staff while in-person campaigning is prohibited in alert level 4 and alert level 5 areas.

For caucuses, meetings, convention, rallies, and miting de avance, Año disclosed that 70 percent of the operational capacity of the venue, whether indoor or outdoor, will be allowed in level 1 areas while 50 percent is permitted in places under level 2.

In level 3 areas, 50 percent of the operational capacity of the venue is allowed for enclosed outdoor only while 30 percent of the operational capacity of the venue for enclosed outdoor only is permitted in level 4 localities.

No such activities are allowed in areas under level 5.

Prohibited activities during the campaign

The DILG chief revealed that under Section 14 of the COMELEC Resolution which pertains to in-person campaigning, the candidates and their support staff are prohibited from “entering any private dwelling during house to house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner.’’

Año also pointed out that “crowding, or allowing there to be, crowds that violate MPHS around the candidate and his or her companions, handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm in arm or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public, taking selfies, photographs and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions and the public, distribution of food and drink and all other goods or items (especially cash)’’ are not permitted.

Motorcades

Meanwhile under Section 16 of the COMELEC Resolution, Año maintained that trucks, buses, mini-trucks and jeepneys have limited capacities during motorcades and caravans.

In level 1 areas, 70 percent of the capacity of the said vehicles are permitted while 50 percent capacity of the same vehicles are allowed in level 2 and 3 localities.

Only 30 percent of the capacity of the said vehicles are allowed in level 4 areas.

For sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans and owner-type jeepneys, full capacity are allowed in level 1 and 2 areas while two passengers per row and one passenger on the driver’s row are permitted in level 3 and 4 areas.

When using tricycles for these activities, full capacity is allowed in level 1 and 2 areas while one passenger in the sidecar and one back rider are permitted in level 3 localities, the same as in level 4 area but with no back rider.

Motorcades and caravans are prohibited in areas under level 5.

Pertaining to Section 16 of the COMELEC Resolution, Año said that stopovers, layovers, and other similar stoppages for the conduct of other election campaign activities are not allowed.