Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 7) — The Office of the Vice President has suspended its COVID-19 response programs pending the Commission on Election’s decision on their request to allow them to continue the programs during the campaign period.
Presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said she asked Comelec to exempt OVP’s Bayanihan E-Konsulta, Vaccine Express, Swab Cab, and medical assistance program from the election ban as the campaign for the May polls starts on Feb. 8.
“Pero ngayon sinuspend natin dahil naghihintay tayo ng decision ng Comelec doon sa exemption na hinihingi natin. Nagkaroon kami ng hearing last week,” she said.
[Translation: We have suspended the programs because we are waiting for Comelec’s decision on the exemption we requested. We had a hearing last week.]
“Humihingi kami ng exemption dito kasi kahit bumaba na ‘yung kaso, nakita namin kung ano ‘yung number ng mga humihingi sa amin ng tulong every day. Kapag hininto ito, ‘yung iba walang mapupuntahan,” she added.
[Translation: We asked for an exemption because despite the decline in COVID-19 cases, a number of people are still seeking assistance from us. If we stop it, some people will have nowhere to go.]
According to Section 13 of the Comelec Resolution No. 10747, candidates should secure a certificate of exception for projects, activities and programs pertaining to social welfare services.
Robredo said the OVP’s COVID-19 response programs have been suspended since Friday last week.
“In fact, nag-redesign kami ng mga logo para hindi ma-identify sa akin,” she added.
[Translation: In fact, we redesigned the logos of the programs so that these will not be identified with me.]
