NextGen Day

Under the new normal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) encouraged candidates to set an example by following health procedures during poll campaign activities.

“However, ang panawagan ng DILG ay mag-self-police yung mga kandidados.” Po naman alam naman yung batas. Sana po yung manguna sa pagsunod sa batas para po yung kanilang mga supporters ay sumunod din sa kanila. In a Laging Handa briefing, DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said, “Hopefully, they show the example in upholding the law and make their followers follow them”)

To prevent campaign sorties from becoming superspreader events, Malaya stated that it is the “collective responsibility” of the public and political groups to adhere to lawful election campaign activities, emphasizing that the police and local government units (LGUs) cannot monitor all candidate campaigns activities around the clock.

“I believe that, just as in our daily lives, when family members go outside or go for work, they sometimes bring Covid-19 home with them.” That is exactly what will happen in campaign activities if people do not take precautions. As a result, I believe that preventing superspreader incidents in the country should be a shared responsibility of the candidates, their followers, political parties, and the general people, as well as the DILG, PNP, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),” he said.

Malaya further stated that the DILG had “prepared long and hard” to enforce the Commission on Elections’ campaign restrictions (Comelec).

He stated that the PNP has been briefed on “permissible and not allowable” election campaign activities and will continue to be briefed.

Malaya stated that DILG field officials are also receiving training to keep them up to date on the parameters outlined in Comelec Resolution 10732, which establishes campaign rules that are related to current alert level systems.

He added that Interior Secretary Eduardo Ao, who is deputized by the Comelec, issued directives to the PNP, AFP, and barangay officials, stressing the importance of strictly enforcing all provisions of Comelec Resolution No. 10732, particularly Sections 12, 14, 15, and 16, which deal with the allowable campaign activities based on the area’s alert level.

In addition to the directions, Malaya revealed that Ao assigned field officials to be active members of the Comelec campaign committee from the regional to local levels.

Malaya noted that depending on the severity of the infringement, campaign rule violations attract varied punishments.

If the campaign activities violate Sections 87, 88, and 89 of the Comelec guidelines, which deal with political rallies, meetings, transportation, food, and drinks, Malaya said that jail terms of not less than six months and not more than one year, as well as disqualification from holding public office and the right to vote, could be imposed.

Malaya said that infractions of minimum public health standards carry a penalty of imprisonment for not less than one month and not more than six months, as well as a fine ranging from PHP20,000 to PHP60,000, depending on the court’s judgment.

“Maganda po basahin ng ating mga kababayan ano yung (Comelec Resolution No.) 10732 dahil nakalagay po dito yung guidelines for the conduct of election-related activities amid the continuous threat of Covid-19,” Malaya said.

Meanwhile, the PNP has promised to closely monitor candidates’ adherence to campaign regulations.

“I’m confident that all candidates are aware of the Comelec’s campaigning resolution. We won’t consider political affiliations here; our job is to implement the health standard. Whoever violates the law will be held accountable. Please follow these instructions so that our PNP officers can better monitor election-related activities. In a statement, PNP chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos stated, “Our goal is to assure the safety of everyone participating.”

Carlos further stated that all police officers are barred from advocating for any candidate or inducing the public to vote in favor of one candidate over another.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

Need to get in touch?

Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---