TWO months before the 2022 national and local elections, the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District, Negros Occidental) held a briefing with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on its preparations, as well as resolutions ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of election activities.
National Comelec Campaign Committee (NCCC) Director Elaiza David assured that they are all set for this year’s elections.
Being the first to be conducted during a pandemic, the panel zeroed in on Comelec Resolution 10732 or the guidelines for the conduct of in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings, and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance under the new normal.
David reported that newly-appointed Comelec Commissioner George Garcia has already ordered the comprehensive review and revision of the resolution to update its provisions and align them with the current alert level.
Through this, the Comelec can ensure that candidates are able to maximize the campaign period, while strictly following minimum health protocols for the safety of Filipinos. Meanwhile, lawmakers raised concerns on the requirement to secure permits for all in-person campaigns.
While this could be tedious, David assured that Regional CCCs are able to accommodate and process all permit requests to date.
When asked by Rep. Tyrone Agabas (6th District, Pangasinan) about the local government units being in-charge of the approval or denial of these permits, David said that the Comelec would also address this as they revisit Resolution 10732 to avoid any biases against the candidates. Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (4th District, Cavite) hopes that the updated guidelines are disseminated before the campaign period for local elective offices begins on March 25.
