Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) – For a fiesta-loving nation, the election season is a spectacle that begins with the filing of certificates of candidacy. But even this festive occasion will not be spared from the threat of COVID-19.
Because of the health crisis, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing changes in the filing for candidacies, like providing separate schedules for single and multiple elective positions.
“Like mayor and vice mayor. They are both single elective positions. Baka mga 2-3 araw ang para sa kanila (Around 2-3 days may be allotted for them). And the rest of filing days would be for the candidates for Sangguniang Panglungsod or Sangguniang Bayan,” Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz, Jr. said.
More than 18,000 positions are up for grabs in the 2022 national and local elections.
The poll body may also limit the number of people who can accompany candidates to avoid overcrowding in filing venues. It has yet to decide whether to require aspirants to present a negative swab test result.
Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said while face-to-face campaign is still on the table, some alternative means are being considered.
“Kasi tinitingnan muna pa lang natin ngayon ano ‘yung mga nangyayari sa ibang bansa (We are still looking on what happened in other countries) and the cases that we have now. So if it’s really not advisable for the candidates to go on face-to-face campaign I think we may limit or introduce some other forms of campaign that the candidates can adopt,” Ferolino explained.
The poll body pointed out presidential debates will happen, either through face-to-face or virtual.
“I think mas maganda it’s hybrid (Hybrid is more okay). So we can do face to face with a virtual audience or virtual including candidates pwede ring maging virtual sila (they can go virtual) if they cannot go to the venue with a virtual or limited audience,” Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said.
Based on Comelec data, there are now 58.9 million registered voters.
With the shift of Metro Manila and nearby provinces to general community quarantine, Comelec will resume voters’ registration on May 17, as the September 30 deadline stays.
