The city government of Davao has released Executive Order (EO) on election activities in Davao City.
Signed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, EO No.10, Series of 2022 or “an order providing guidelines in securing the requisite permit in the conduct of election campaign activities in Davao City until May 8, 2022 in connection with the national and local elections” partially adopted Resolution No.10732 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
However, Mayor Sara prohibits political caravans and motorcades in Davao City as stated in Section 2 of the EO.
According to the mayor, there is a need to prohibit motorcades and caravans due to the continuing increase of fuel costs, inconvenience of the traffic jams it will create and the ongoing public want due to the economic losses from the pandemic coupled with the rising prices of basic commodities.
Section 4 of the EO stated that the political activity under Resolution 10732 except motorcades and caravans thereof shall be deemed approved immediately after payment of fees.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec ) through its Resolution No. 10732, Series of 2021, dated November 24, 2021, outlined the guidelines on the conduct of in-person campaign, rallies, caucuses, meetings and conventions, motorcades and caravans, and Miting de Avance under the new normal, in connection with the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
The resolution says that in-person campaigning is allowed in areas under Alert 1, 2, and 3 but candidates or their campaign leaders must be accompanied only by a maximum of five staff members under Alert Level 2 and three staff members under Alert Level 3.
No limit on the number of accompanying staff members for candidates is implemented under Alert Level 1.
In-person campaigning is not allowed in areas under Alert Levels 4 and 5.
The resolution also prohibits handshakes, hugs, kisses, going arm-in-arm, or any action that involves physical contact among the candidate, their companions, and the public under all alert levels.
It has also prohibited taking selfies, photographs, and other similar activities that require close proximity between the candidate and their companions, and the public. The distribution of food and drink and anything of value is also prohibited.
