Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) — With the national elections approaching, the Department of Interior and Local Government reminds public officials not to use the COVID-19 vaccine drive to promote their candidacies as this is prohibited by law.
“Ito pong mga bakuna ibinili ng ating [These vaccines purchased by our] national government, these are funded by the national government. And therefore, they are covered by the anti-epal or anti-political prohibitions of law,” said DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya in an online briefing on Monday.
The General Appropriations Act forbids the placement of names, logos, or images of both elected and appointed public officials on all programs, activities and projects funded by it.
While the DILG official said they haven’t monitored any violation of this law so far in vaccination enters, he still enjoined the public to report such instances immediately.
“Wala po tayong makikita na kahit ano mang tarpaulin sa iba’t ibang mga resbakuna centers natin sa buong bansa na ginagamit po itong ating vaccination drive for political purposes,” said Malaya. “If there is any, ipagpaalam niyo lang po sa [just inform the] DILG and we will investigate any of these local officials.”
[Translation: We shall not see any tarpaulins in resbakuna centers across the country which means using our vaccination drive for political purposes.]
In a separate press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque assured the vaccine drive is not being used by anyone to advance their political ambitions. There really is a need to work with barangay captains and mayors in executing the government’s inoculation plan, he added.
“’Yung local vaccination drives po, mga lokal na pamahalaan po ang nagpapatupad niyan, nagkataon lang po na naka-posisyon sila,” said the spokesman. “Pero tingin ko po, pagsubok talaga sa kanila iyan ‘no dahil kapag sila ay pumalpak eh lagot talaga sila sa taumbayan.”
[Translation: Local governments are in charge of implementing local vaccine drives, it just so happened they’re the ones holding office. But I believe this would be a challenge for them because if they fail, the public will hold them to account.]
The government hopes to vaccinate up to 70 million individuals against COVID-19 by yearend.
CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
