“FULLY comply with minimum health protocols designed to help prevent the further spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus.:

This was the renewed call made by the Philippine National Police to candidates in the May 2022 national and local elections, some of them already accused of violating health protocols this early.

The PNP also said that it is closely coordinating with the Commission on Elections on the latest pronouncement of the poll body to consider health protocol violation as an election offense.

“We are working with the Comelec on the participation of the PNP in the implementation of the said provision for in-person election activities,”said PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos.

Section 34 of the Comelec Resolution 10730 states that the candidates must submit an Affidavit of Compliance for every physical campaigning that they will conduct.

The guidelines read, “Within 24 hours after the conclusion of any in-person campaign activity, the campaign organizing staff shall submit a notarized Affidavit of Compliance with Health Protocols to the Comelec with territorial jurisdiction over the place where the in-person campaign activity was conducted.”

Failure to do so is punishable under the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

“We are requesting every candidate that if they organize an in-person campaign, they must properly coordinate with the authorities and make sure that there is a crowd control plan in place,” Gen. Carlos said.

According to the top cop, the entire police force is dedicated to maintain peace and order, and to remind the candidates and their supporters to observe the minimum health standard as they jointly fight the spread of the killer virus.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon