DILG to poll bets: Follow protocols or face jail time, DQ

CEBU, Philippines —  Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has reminded all politicians running in the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections to follow the Comelec guidelines, including provisions on health protocols, during the campaign period or face imprisonment or disqualification.

DILG is also expecting all local government units to strictly implement Commission on Election guidelines in their respective areas of jurisdiction and act on all complaints received.

The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and partylists will run from February 8 to May 7.

As for other positions, it will run from March 25 to May 7.

Año told LGUs to adopt necessary measures and strategies to comply with the guidelines set as well as streamline existing LGU policies.

As per COMELEC Resolution No.10732,  there are specific guidelines for the conduct of in-person campaigns, rallies,  caucuses, meetings, and conventions as well as in motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance under the new normal.

In support to this, DILG has instructed the Philippine National Police to maintain peace and order while Barangay officials, tanods, and members of the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT) are to impose strict observance of the minimum Public Health Standards during the conduct of campaign activities.

For alert level 1, there is no limit in capacity set for level 1 for in-person campaign, for Level II, a candidate or campaign leader may be accompanied by a maximum of five campaign support staff, while for Level III they be allowed only a maximum of three campaign support staff and for levels 4 and 5, no in-person campaign will be allowed.

Along with this, candidates are prohibited from entering any private dwelling during house-to-house campaigning, even with the express permission of the homeowner.

Other prohibited activities include crowding that violate MPHS around candidate and his or her companions, handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arms-in-arms, 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 and distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items.

For caucuses, meetings, convention, rallies and miting de avance, Level I will be allowed 70% of the operational capacity of the venue whether indoor or outdoor, 50% in level 2 and 3, 30% for level 4. No such activity is allowed under level 5.

Even in these line of activities, 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 and distribution of food and drink, and all other goods or items are not allowed as well.

For motorcades and caravans, under level 1–trucks, buses, mini-trucks and jeepneys are allowed 70% of the capacity of the vehicle while SUVs, sedans, and other owner-type jeepneys and tricycles will be allowed in full capacity.

For level 2 and 3, trucks, buses and jeepneys are allowed 50% of its capacity while for SUV, sedans and owner-type jeepneys, it will be 50% of the capacity while in level 3 they are allowed two passengers per row and 1 on the driver’s row.

For tricycles, they are allowed only one passenger per sidecar and one back rider. — KQD (FREEMAN)