MANILA, Philippines – Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo suggested the idea of the 2022 election postponement citing the public's continued fears on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Arroyo urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to consider postponing the 2022 national polls, saying voters are afraid of the coronavirus pandemic. He said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a possibility that only a few people will go out and vote.
On Facebook, Arroyo shared, “If the Corona Covid sars2 gets worse, people will be scared to participate in the electoral process. The voice of a significant percentage will actually not be heard. Will you consider postponing the 2020 elections for a reasonable time frame?”
However, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said the matter is not up for them to decide but will be the job of the Congress and President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss.
Abas assured that the Comelec is looking at best practices in South Korea and the US to keep the elections safe. Part of the measures they are considering are seeking more voting machines, voting by mail and early voting for seniors as part of efforts to make Halalan 2022 safer from the pandemic.
Abas said, “Inaaral na namin ang 2022 just in case magtuluy-tuloy ang pandemic. Meron kaming partnership with international bodies like South Korea, kinukuha natin ang best practices nila. Kung magtuluy-tuloy ang pandemiya in 2022, ready po kami ihold ang election based sa ‘new normal’ na scenario natin.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr slammed the idea, calling it a form of "treason" if elections get cancelled.
"You don't cancel elections for any reason. That's treason. We are a democracy or a s*** slave colony. Hold elections period. Those brave to stand in line & vote—even if only 12—decide the next President. Elections=democracy," he said in a tweet.
— Sally, The Summit Express
Arroyo urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to consider postponing the 2022 national polls, saying voters are afraid of the coronavirus pandemic. He said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a possibility that only a few people will go out and vote.
On Facebook, Arroyo shared, “If the Corona Covid sars2 gets worse, people will be scared to participate in the electoral process. The voice of a significant percentage will actually not be heard. Will you consider postponing the 2020 elections for a reasonable time frame?”
However, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said the matter is not up for them to decide but will be the job of the Congress and President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss.
Abas assured that the Comelec is looking at best practices in South Korea and the US to keep the elections safe. Part of the measures they are considering are seeking more voting machines, voting by mail and early voting for seniors as part of efforts to make Halalan 2022 safer from the pandemic.
Abas said, “Inaaral na namin ang 2022 just in case magtuluy-tuloy ang pandemic. Meron kaming partnership with international bodies like South Korea, kinukuha natin ang best practices nila. Kung magtuluy-tuloy ang pandemiya in 2022, ready po kami ihold ang election based sa ‘new normal’ na scenario natin.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr slammed the idea, calling it a form of "treason" if elections get cancelled.
"You don't cancel elections for any reason. That's treason. We are a democracy or a s*** slave colony. Hold elections period. Those brave to stand in line & vote—even if only 12—decide the next President. Elections=democracy," he said in a tweet.
— Sally, The Summit Express
