A candidate's responsibility

POLITICAL caravans are becoming a worrying sight due to how many people are gathering in one place.

Photos and videos show people gathered without observing minimum health protocols like social distancing. Some also show people improperly wearing their face masks.

The political caravans are at risk of becoming superspreader events.

Political candidates may have forgotten that we are still in a pandemic and there is now the ongoing threat of Omicron variant of Sars-CoV2, the virus causing the Covid19.

Earlier this month, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año reminded political parties, organizations, and supporters that political rallies are still prohibited.

"Bawal pa po ang mga political rally. Hindi pa po campaign period. (Political rallies are still prohibited. It's not campaign period yet.) We have been seeing candidates, both national and local, staging political rallies here and there, which gather hundreds if not thousands of people. Hindi pa po tapos ang pandemya. Parating pa ang Omicron variant (The pandemic is not over. The Omicron variant is still a threat)," he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health urged political candidates to refrain from organizing events that could cause over cr ow di ng.

"Kami po nanawagan ulit sa mga opisyales, sa ating mga kumakandidato sa dadating na election, wag po sana tayo maghold ng events na alam natin might cause overcrowding (We call on our officials and candidates in the upcoming elections to avoid holding events that could cause overcrowding) and this might cause infections in the coming days or weeks," DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Likewise, Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez said they have issued campaign guidelines earlier despite it taking effect in February. "Mukhang hindi naman nasusunod (health protocols).

Nilabas nga natin nang maaga para sana may guidelines ang mga kandidato pero wala, 'di naman sinusunod, siksikan pa rin ang mga tao," Jimenez said in a radio interview.

Under Comelec Resolution 10730, dated November 17, or the rules and regulations for implementation of the Fair Election law in connection with the May 9, 2022 elections, preventing measures and health protocols against Covid-19 include (1) Wearing of face mask and face shield, (2) One-meter physical distancing, (3) Frequent disinfection of hands, and (4) Proper cough and sneezing etiquette.

The resolution adds, "Any violation of Fair Elections Act and these Rules shall constitute an election offense punishable under the first and second paragraph of Section 264 of the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, whenever applicable."

Candidates may face disqualification or imprisonment for the violations.

We may have a better response now towards Covid-19 with new treatments, a better understanding of the disease, and the vaccines. However, there is still the risk of a surge. This surge may still overwhelm our healthcare facilities.

Despite the better Covid-19 situation, organizers of political rallies and the political candidates should be responsible for how they conduct the event. Political candidates, in particular, must be an example of observing health guidelines.

The health and safety of supporters are also the responsibility of the political candidate. Having supporters overcrowd political rallies or caravans is already putting them at risk of infection. We are hoping for safer political rallies in the coming months. (Sunnex)