Can the Comelec do it?

What is the Commission on Elections (Comelec) doing about the flagrant violations of its guidelines on health protocols during the ongoing campaign sorties? Unless these rules are rigorously enforced, they are more likely to be honored in the breach in the run up to the May 9 election.

The Comelec issued strict campaign rules under the “new normal,” as the country holds its first election in the time of a pandemic, anticipating that close physical contact as candidates go on the stump might result in new surges in COVID-19 infections, especially in areas with low vaccination rates.

In Resolution No. 10732, the poll body urged candidates and participants to “at all times observe MPHS (minimum public health standards)” during in-person campaigns, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and miting de avance.

Prohibited acts include entering any private home even with the permission of the homeowner; crowding, or allowing there to be, crowds that violate MPHS; handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, taking selfies or any action that involves physical contact, and the distribution of food and drink and other goods or items.

Participants in campaign sorties are required to wear face shields over their face masks, while physical distancing must be observed in public assemblies. Physical campaigning can only be held in areas under alert level 2 or 3, and with limitations on the number of people inside the venues or in motorcades.

Violations of government-mandated health protocols will be deemed an election offense, with violators facing fines as well as imprisonment of up to six years and disqualification from holding public office.

The Comelec guidelines cover the campaign period for national candidates that began Feb. 8, and the local campaign that will kick off on March 25 up to the last day of campaigning on May 7.

Despite the prohibitive and explicit rules, the proclamation rallies on Feb. 8 featured a fiesta-like atmosphere complete with singing and dancing, close mingling, and frenzied crowds and participants, some of whom were not even wearing face masks. At one rally inside a covered venue, people crowded and shoved each other as they grabbed boxes of giveaways—two violations right there.

“It’s kind of worrisome that we are seeing these mass gatherings and big events,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. “Unfortunately, the enforcement (of health protocols) is really weak. The enforcement should be there. Monitoring should be there. Sanctions should be enforced.”

She added: “The virus is still here. Delta variant is still here. Omicron variant is still here. We don’t want cases to explode again in the future, especially since we are all preparing for the new normal that we want. If we have these frequent mass gatherings, the virus will just continuously spread in the communities.’’

Even the Philippine National Police (PNP) seemed helpless. “[Enforcing health protocols] is a big challenge for the police and other security details,” admitted PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.

Shouldn’t the Comelec be more proactive and steadfast in making sure that health guidelines — and all rules governing the elections — are followed, no ifs or buts? It must engage more with candidates and political parties to secure their commitment to protecting public health as they go about their campaign sorties. With enough powers to deputize law enforcement agencies, the commission must take such violations more seriously and impose penalties on violators without fear or favor.

In its resolution, the Comelec also established the National Comelec Campaign Committee, tasked with implementing the guidelines. Its members are the Comelec and the heads of the Departments of Health and of the Interior and Local Governments, the PNP, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines—the highest possible officials who have the wherewithal to enforce the law. There is no excuse for non-compliance, and certainly no room for apathy.

Ultimately, it is the moral obligation of the candidates themselves to ensure that their campaign activities comply with health protocols and that participants wear face masks and observe physical distancing as well as other measures to prevent mass infections.

The candidates, especially those vying for the highest post in the land, must lead by example. In one video of a proclamation rally on Feb. 8, a presidential candidate was seen ascending the stage and taking his face mask off, casually throwing it behind him.

Will the Comelec, already beset by internal problems, rise to the occasion and prove that it can be counted on to enforce the very basic rules required of our times?

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