DILG poises raps vs campaign health protocol violators

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday assured candidates and their supporters that it would be fair in enforcing rules against violations during sorties and other election-related events, as the government ramps up control measures to ensure these big gatherings would not result in case surges.

“We will not be picking candidates, sympathizers and supporters to file charges against when there are violations,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in an interview over dzBB, referring to possible violations of the Omnibus Election Code and pandemic restriction regulations.

Año reiterated the DILG’s warning of fines and charges against violators, and urged candidates to follow the rules and set an example to their supporters.

Political rallies, meetings and giving out free transportation, food and drinks to supporters are regulated under the Omnibus Election Code. Violating these rules of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can result in imprisonment of up to six months, disqualification to hold public office and losing the right to vote.

If sortie teams and supporters violate health protocols, the DILG earlier said violators may face imprisonment of one to six months and a fine of P20,000 to P60,000 at the discretion of the court and depending on the charges filed by the Comelec or the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The DILG, Comelec, PNP and other concerned agencies are also enforcing Comelec Resolution 107321, which imposes regulations on campaign activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya earlier admitted that it would be difficult for the DILG and PNP to enforce the pandemic electioneering regulations set by the poll body, saying supporters and candidates should lead by example.

Año said if law enforcers and local authorities discover any violations, these would be reported for investigation and subsequent filing of charges if necessary.

Several candidates have decried the strict rules of the Comelec, especially in handing out goods such as shirts and other campaign merchandise, urging the poll body to loosen the regulations for better campaigning.

Meanwhile, Año said candidates and supporters should be wary about violating or abetting violations during sorties and other campaign-related events as monitoring by the Comelec Campaign Committee (CCC) would be very strict, even at the local level.

The CCC is headed by the Comelec chairman and is composed of Año, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines chiefs Gen. Dionardo Carlos and Gen. Andres Centino, respectively.

Año said the CCC has counterparts at the regional, provincial, city and municipal levels. He said candidates and their campaign team should always seek the approval of the committee 72 hours prior to their event.

If candidates hold an unapproved activity and draw crowds of people, they can also be charged and disqualified.

“Down to the municipality, there is monitoring. The PNP, AFP, barangay authorities and watchmen, as well as Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams, have been tasked to monitor campaign activities. They can report to the CCC if there are any violations,” Año said.

The DILG also gave assurance that all agencies tasked to do monitoring and reporting on violations would remain non-partisan.

The campaign period for national candidates began on Feb. 8 while that of local posts starts on March 25.