Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Rommel Agan. (PNA file photo)
ZAMBOANGA CITY--Vice Mayor Rommel Agan has expressed opposition to the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) plan banning face-to-face campaign in the 2022 national elections.
Agan said Friday that the plan--once implemented--would only benefit incumbent officials seeking reelection because the voters already know them.
“It would be very difficult if the Comelec prohibits face-to-face campaign because the voters will not have the chance of meeting the new candidates,” Agan said.
He noted that deep-pocketed candidates would be able to pay the radio and television stations to run campaign ads, while candidates who have fewer funds won't be able to compete.
Comelec recently announced that the agency is eyeing to prohibit face-to-face campaign in next year's local and national elections considering the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
However, Agan said traditional campaigning can still be done provided that the candidates ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly followed.
“We have to adjust to the threat of the virus. This is now the new normal,” Agan said.
Comelec said it is coordinating with the National Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease on the issue. (PNA)
