Palace said Thursday that it was “too early” to deliberate if face-to-face campaigning for the 2022 local and national elections would be banned to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez advised candidates for the 2022 national and local election to focus on online campaigns instead of the usual house-to-house and campaign rallies due to the threat of COVID-19.
“I think it’s too early because we are about to start our inoculation campaign,” said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.
“”I’m sure the issue will be discussed beyond Comelec and will include also the IATF (inter-agency task force against COVID-19),” he told reporters in an online briefing.
The government targets to vaccinate 70 million or two-thirds of its population against COVID-19 this year, starting this month.
“Siyempre, hindi mo naman mababalewala na kung tayo ay makakamit natin iyong target na iyon, baka maibsan ang mga alinlangan sa face-to-face campaigning,” said Roque.
“Hindi ko po sinasabi na it will actually happen. But all I’m saying is let’s wait [for] what will happen to our vaccination campaign dahil meron pa naman tayong panahon,” he added.
‘Too early’ to talk about banning face-to-face election campaigns – Palace
(Of course, you cannot dismiss that if we reach that target, our worries on face-to-face campaigning might be eased. I am not saying that it will actually happen, but all I’m saying is let’s wait for what will happen to our vaccination campaign because there is still time.)
Meanwhile, Comelec announced that Saturday voter registration would begin this February.
“YES Saturday registration @COMELEC will start in Feb. Guys, this was your request those turning 18 and those working M -F. So no excuses, register an!” said Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon.
In November 2020, Comelec launched iRehistro for online voters’ registration to encourage more applicants to register and vote for the May 2022 national and local elections.
However, it reminded applicants that they still need to personally appear at the nearest Comelec office for the biometrics (photograph, fingerprints, and signature) data capture.
It said the online voters’ registration only attempts to facilitate a faster accomplishment of the application form.