Limit in-person campaigning, use virtual platforms for 2022 polls — researchers

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should promote contactless procedures or reduced physical contact for activities related to the upcoming 2022 national elections, researchers said.

On December 3, the La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG) hosted a virtual policy forum titled "Covid-proofing the 2022 Elections: Lessons and Recommendations for Electoral Administration."

Ms. Carmela Fonbuena of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism moderating the forum

Ian Jason Hecita, lead policy research specialist of LSIG, said requiring contactless procedures would include utilizing virtual and electronic platforms in all Comelec transactions.

“There is a need to adopt measures that limit physical contact, promote physical distancing, encourage the use of virtual platforms, and setting of health standards in designated campaign areas and activities,” Hecita said in the virtual forum.

He also recommended coming up with a policy to vaccinate all election workers.

"The Comelec should consider adopting policies that mandate or encourage or incentivize vaccination and COVID-19 testing of all poll workers and other election support personnel," Hecita said.

Gerardo Eusebio, professorial lecturer at De La Salle University, emphasized the need for minimum health safety protocols during the conduct of the 2022 polls.

“In-person campaigns for national candidates should be more strictly limited if not outright banned so that cross-territorial infections can be avoided,” Eusebio said in the same forum.

Eusebio added that limitations for campaigning for local elections should be based on the quarantine alert level of the area.

“While in-person campaigns for national candidates should be more strictly limited, if not outright banned so that cross-territorial infections would be avoided,” Eusebio added.

The presenters and discussants during the open forum

The virtual policy forum was the first in a series of policy forums organized by LSIG, in partnership with pro-democracy coalition PARTICIPATE, that will serve as avenues for presenting and discussing policy briefs related to the upcoming 2022 elections.

Ms. Armi Magno from ASOG delivering the closing remarks of the forum

The policy forum organizing team together with the presenters and discussants

At least 300 participants across the country attended the activity, including attendees from government institutions, academe, civil society organizations and media.

Virtual caravan enjoins South Luzon youth to participate in 2022 polls

Around 340 participants from partner higher education institutions and local youth organizations joined the first leg of the week-long virtual Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment, which sought to encourage the youth to participate in the electoral process.

The South Luzon leg of YOUth Choose 2022: The Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment was launched last November 24 and was concluded with a culminating activity on December 1.

Dr. Erickson Martinez, chancellor of De La Salle Lipa, emphasized that elections have consequences and urged the youth to be informed on the issues, platform and personalities of political candidates for the 2022 elections.

"We have to set specific guidelines in choosing government leaders in terms of candidates' social affiliations and interests, competence, lifestyle and performance record and vote according to our informed conscience," Martinez said in his welcome message.

Dr. Erickson Martinez , Chancellor of De La Salle Lipa delivering his Opening Speech

Br. Augustine Boquer, president of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas, warned the youth of the worrisome situation on social media wherein "the bad is made to look good and the good is made to look bad."

"You, young men and ladies who are being educated, have to make not just a conscientious vote but also to affect others to think and to use your conscience for the well being of our nation," Boquer said in his welcome remarks.

Br. Augustine Boquer FSC, EdD, President of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas and De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute delivering his Opening Message

Group photo of the participants and speakers of the Launching of the YOUth Choose 2022: The Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment

YouthLed Development Specialist Emil Benjamin Tapnio and La Salle Institute of Governance director Dr. Ador Torneo were also among the speakers for the opening event.

#AngIbobotoKoAy

During the culminating activity on December 1, the participants joined the hashtag challenge #AngIbobotoKoAy and #AngIbobotoKoAyParaSa to determine the kind of leaders they want following the week-long caravan.

Nina Marie Ligan, president of DLSU - Dasmariñas University Student Government, commended the participants for encouraging their family and friends to register to vote before the deadline in October.

"After the encouragement that we made, it is our time to be accountable... and what are these responsibilities? The responsibility of choosing the right leader," Ligan said during the closing ceremony.

Mr. Carlo Africa discussing how to enhance political participation in the new normal

Rash Caritativo sharing her insights on The Power of Youth and Social Media

Among the speakers for the culminating activity were Hirayang Kabataan Executive Director Atty. Carlo Africa, Active Vista Center Managing Director Rash Caritativo, and National Society of Parliamentarians President Bryan Ezra Gonzales.

The Youth Caravan sought to promote and encourage youth political participation in the 2022 elections through civic and voter education campaigns.

Group photo of the participants and speakers of the Culminating Activity of the YOUth Choose 2022: The

Youth Caravan on Voter Empowerment

The event was organized by La Salle Institute of Governance, with pro-democracy coalition PARTICIPATE and Youth Leadership for Development (YouthLed), and in partnership with De La Salle Philippines, Lasallian Justice and Peace Commission, DLSU - Dasmariñas, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute and De La Salle Lipa.

La Salle Institute of Governance launches Virtual Knowledge Workshop Series on the 2022 Elections

The La Salle Institute of Governance (LSIG) welcomed 2021 by launching a virtual knowledge workshop series that aims to strengthen citizen participation in the 2022 elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. With the theme “The 2020 Elections and the Pandemic: Emerging Policy Issues and Challenges,” the workshop gathered representatives from the academe and research community to discuss important policy issues on elections and political participation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first virtual knowledge workshop is in partnership with the Ateneo School of Government, through the Ateneo Policy Center, and the Philippine Society for Public Administration (PSPA).