MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will sanction official candidates for the 2022 national and local elections who violate the health and safety protocols, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Acting Presidential spokesperson.
Nograles stated that the Comelec will now be in charge of all election-related activities during the campaign period.
“So, in terms of enforcement, in terms of protocols and guideline, dahil nag-umpisa na nga po ang campaign period, February 8, kahapon, under na po talaga iyan (since the campaign period already started on February 8, yesterday, that will fall under), strictly speaking, in the jurisdiction of Comelec,” he said in a radio interview.
It will be up to the Comelec, according to Nograles, to impose corresponding sanctions or punishments on violators of campaign rules, guidelines, and protocols, including minimum public health standards.
He further said that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will only be responsible for all non-election-related activities.
The 90-day election campaign period for the national candidates in the May 9 election started on Tuesday.
The candidates were previously reminded by the Comelec of the restrictions that will be implemented for in-person campaigning, such as crowding or gathering a huge group of people, entering households, kissing, handshaking, hugging the public, and even taking selfies with supporters are strictly banned.
