Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 18) — After mascots of election candidates Bongbong Marcos and Sara Duterte graced a COVID-19 vaccination site, the Department of Health (DOH) issued a stern reminder that such events should not show political preference.
“I want to reiterate, everything is apolitical. Ibig sabihin po wala tayong kinikilingan. Kung anuman ang meron tayong kampanya na ginagawa during our vaccination days for our children, this is for us to encourage our childen, for them to feel comfortable,” DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a media briefing on Friday.
[Translation: We cannot take sides. Our activities during the vaccination days for children are done to encourage them, to make them feel comfortable.]
The vaccination event in question was held in Talisay City in Cebu on Monday. The mascots of Marcos and Duterte were seen entertaining and dancing alongside mascots of a famous fast-food restaurant.
Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas said he was the one who ordered the appearance of the mascots of the presidential and vice presidential candidates. He explained it was done in the hopes of putting children aged 5-11 at ease for their vaccination.
Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez earlier said the appearance of such mascots is prohibited.
“Partisan politics has no place in official functions,” he tweeted on Thursday.
Stringer Dale Israel contributed to this report.
