The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should ensure social distancing is followed by those attending campaign rallies ahead of the 2022 general elections, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday.
Duterte repeated his promise to push for peaceful and honest elections in 2022, which he reported at the Summit for Democracy hosted by US President Joe Biden, in his taped “Talk to the People” message.
The President warned about the “danger of recontamination” if safety protocols on COVID-19 are not followed during the unofficial campaign season.
The official three-month campaign season starts February 9, 2022.
“The problem here is that although many have been vaccinated and we have lesser casualties now, but (still) do not tempt the gods. Don’t ask that it comes to that if you keep allowing this to happen,” Duterte said in Filipino.
“I’d like to call the attention of the Comelec. You are the ones supervising the elections, as a matter of fact, you are running the show… Could you not just issue a… or just maintain social distancing?” he added.
The President said even campaign rallies at Luneta Park in Manila may be allowed as long as COVID-19 health protocols are enforced.
“It doesn’t matter how many (attend a rally). You can fill Luneta as long as you maintain the regulations imposed by the government, because it will be difficult if this (COVID-19 surge) returns). It might come back of vengeance,” Duterte said.