THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has shot down persistent rumors that the May 2022 elections would be postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
"Postponement of the elections is simply not in the cards. As far as the Comelec is concerned, there is no reason to postpone the elections,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a virtual press briefing Friday, June 11, 2021.
"It will be in everybody's best interest if we put together the idea that we need the elections to push through. Let us not even consider that because, as far as the Comelec is concerned, there is no reason to think that," he added.
He said they have been exerting all efforts to make sure that the May 2022 elections will take place under a safe and healthy environment.
"We would like to assure the public that the Comelec is doing anything it can to make sure that the elections are safe," said Jimenez.
In turn, he said they will need the general public to also do their part in making sure that the next elections won't be a superspreader event.
"Ultimately, we believe it will boil down to individual responsibilities. It is not just about the Comelec securing the elections," he said.
Jimenez said their preparations for the May 2022 elections continue to include those for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
He said nothing has been finalized yet as far as proposals to postpone it to 2025 is concerned.
"Since those issues haven't been resolved yet, the Comelec will just continue to prepare. We cannot jump the gun so to speak," said Jimenez. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)