MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Dionardo Carlos, is reminding candidates and their supporters for the May polls to follow the campaign rules established by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which is supported by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“It will be an unprecedented campaign season so we hope that the candidates will set an example to the public of how they should obey our campaign guidelines,” he added in a statement Thursday night.
Comelec Resolution No.10732, which was passed in November of last year, institutionalizes the new normal in performing physical campaigns, rallies, meetings, and other related activities based on the alert level being imposed in a specific area.
The Department of Health’s minimum public health standards will be followed.
Entering private dwelling for house-to-house campaigning, even with the owner’s permission, crowding, handshaking, or other forms of physical contact, taking selfies or photographs that require proximity among people, and distributing food and drinks are all prohibited acts under in-person activities. The same goes for larger campaign events.
“Our police personnel shall exercise vigilance in monitoring election-related activities while maintaining our being apolitical,” Carlos said.
The PNP also urged the community for assistance in reporting violations of the campaign provisions.
The campaign period for national candidates will begin on February 8 and for local candidates on March 25.
