Preps are underway
FACED with the greatest dilemma ever in the holding of elections, the Commission on Elections has to find innovative ways to conduct said elections credibly.
According to James Jimenez, spokesperson for the Comelec, the election body is deep in preparations for the general elections on May 9, 2022, with the pandemic introducing impelling changes in the conduct of the campaign and actual vote. It will be a very tough task indeed for Comelec.
About four million new voters are expected to register but so far only about 1.6 million have registered, but more are expected to enlist till election day.
There are several prohibitions, however: while in-person campaigning cannot be completely banned, there will be limitations on crown size but eating during campaign rallies will be banned so as to ensure masks and face shields will be worn.
The election body monitors campaign expenses of candidates such as ad placements in radio and television, as well as spending limits and contributions from supporters and benefactors.
The Comelec is really in a quandary as far as social media is concerned.
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The filing of the certificates of candidacy is set in October this year and already some local candidates are making plans to
field their bets for the national elections.
On top of the totem pole is the choice of a formidable administration candidate for presidency, someone who could approximate the courage, bravado and boastfulness of the incumbent.
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On the local front, in Magalang, there are persistent rumors that an alleged big gambling operator who rakes in millions of pesos daily is allegedly bankrolling a former opposition bet against incumbent Mayor Romy F. Pecson.
The CHO recorded on May 24 the highest number of vaccinated seniors reaching 1,260 in eight hours as it continues to give jabs to the A1 priority group for their second dose of vaccines. From March 25 to May 25, 2021, 2,033 Fernandinos from the A1 priority group were already inoculated with 1,686 individuals fully vaccinated.
For the A2 priority group, 8,479 seniors already received anti-Covid vaccines. Some 1,605 of them are fully vaccinated.
National Immunization Program (NIP) Manager Dr. Iris Rose Mun~ oz said the local government unit is also collaborating with private hospitals to further expand its vaccination effort.
“Ang isang vaccination site natin is [Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center]. Nag-visit na last week ang [Department of Health] and si Dr Carlos Mercado. Naghihintay na lang tayo ng approval. Sa Thursday magkakaroon na ng orientation sa mga staff nila doon. And then, ang [Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital] nag-offer rin na maging vaccination site na tutulong sa atin. Yung schedule natin sa kanila is June 1 and 2. Ang babakunahan nila ay seniors,” Muñoz explained.
San Fernando is also keen on teaming up with Our Lady of Fatima University and GreenCity Medical Center which both expressed their intent to help the local government unit.
Meanwhile, the CHO urged the elderly to comply with the preregistration and registration process to avoid conflict and further delays in the vaccination site.
“For our seniors, huwag po tayong susugod dito kapag hindi po tayo naka-schedule. Pinapakiusap lang po sana namin na maghintay sa text o tawag ng inyong schedule para maiwasan po yung pagdagsa ng mga tao. Pangalawa po, follow pa rin po natin yung minimum health standards natin lalo na yung physical distancing habang nakapila. And sana bago pumunta dito sa vaccination site, kumain na at uminom na po ng gamot,” Muñoz said.
Since the first day of its vaccination, the CHO has not recorded any adverse effects or allergies from the vaccinated Fernandinos, aside from the usual flu-like side effects such as fever, headache, and pain in the injection site that may last two to three days.
CHO will conduct another vaccination activity on May 28 with a