Now is the right time to ease restrictions on campaign rules in areas where alert levels have been relaxed, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez said Friday.
The poll body also assured the public of clean and fair elections on May 9, dispelling allegations of anomaly through the delivery of election equipment by F2 Logistics, a firm reportedly owned by Dennis Uy, a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a television interview, Jimenez said they are supporting new Comelec Commissioner George Garcia’s proposal for relaxed campaign rules.
Jimenez said this will also enable candidates to interact with more people and stakeholders and will also ease the poll body’s preparations as the elections draw near.
“Well, I think it’s very important that (there has been a proposal) for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions because certainly, we are in a new environment now. We will, of course, give more room for more observers to pay attention to those venues that we have. Not just the servers but also talking about the National Printing Office (NPO), for example, and the Sta. Rosa facility of the Comelec,” he added.
Comelec Resolution 10732, issued last November, sets rules and regulations on election campaigning under the new normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the resolution, in-person campaigning is allowed in areas under COVID-19 Alert 1, 2, and 3, but under Alert Level 2, candidates or their campaign leaders must be accompanied only by a maximum of five staff members, and three staff members under Alert Level 3.
Jimenez made another statement in a television interview on ANC after a photo of Uy surfaced on social media together with presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Uy was one of President Duterte’s top campaign donors in the 2016 elections.
Jimenez said F2 Logistics will be under the supervision of the Comelec “every step of the way” and that they will make sure their performance of their duties is aboveboard.
“It’s also very important to note that the terms of their contract give them very limited responsibilities in this regard, they will simply deliver paraphernalia and reverse logistics, you know, and get it back,” he explained.
“What matters is that in the execution of its contract. F2 Logistics will not be without oversight. We will make sure that their performance of their duties is aboveboard,” Jimenez added.
He said F2 Logistics will not be part of the counting process “that ends up in election results. So, it’s very difficult to see how any of that could translate into a negative impact on the elections themselves.”
He also added the warehousing isn’t long-term warehousing in any case, and it’s about transshipment, which is about receiving them at the regional hubs and then moving them on to the final destination.
There is no limit on the number of accompanying staff members for candidates under Alert Level 1.
In-person campaigning is not allowed in areas under Alert Levels 4 and 5.
The resolution also prohibits handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public under all alert levels.
It has also prohibited taking selfies, photographs, and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public. The distribution of food and drink and anything of value is also prohibited.
Meanwhile, the Local Source Code Review (LSCR) Committee will conduct a walkthrough of the data uploading process on Monday.
The event to be attended by local source code reviewers, stakeholders and media will be held at 2 p.m., at the Comelec warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.