Some senators described the proposed postponement of May 2022 elections as “unconstitutional”.
Some senators on Friday described the proposal to postpone the May 2022 National Elections in light of the pandemic as “unconstitutional”.
This, as Senator Panfilo Lacson said in a statement that any discussion or debate on the extension or postponement of the May 2022 elections was “a waste of time and energy”.
Lacson also said that canceling or postponing the election beyond June 30, 2022, was a “clear violation of the Constitution”.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III stated that the said proposal also present a number of “unconstitutional” and “controversial” issues.
In a text message to reporters, Sotto said that it’s not only the pandemic to consider, but also in cheating.
Deputy Majority Leader and Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo earlier encouraged Comelec officials present at a budget hearing at the House of Representatives last Thursday to consider postponing the May 2022 elections because of health and safety concerns amid the pandemic.
READ ALSO: COVID-19 Pandemic As ‘Basis’ Of Comelec’s Preparations For 2022 Elections — Spokesman
In a statement, Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms chair Imee Marcos said that some countries — including Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Belarus, Poland, and Iceland — had already held elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We abide by the Constitution and proceed with the elections in 2022,” Marcos said.
Marcos also said that the Philippines should explore all possible scenarios — including the expanded early voting, 3-day in-person voting, livestream online voting, and mail-in ballots — instead of postponing the May 2022 elections.
Lacson also noted that tinkering with the number of election days may also be “unconstitutional”.
Meanwhile, Director James Jimenez — the spokesperson of the Commission on Elections — said that Comelec didn’t see a need to postpone the May 2022 elections amid pandemic.
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