Comelec official opposes vax centers near polling places

MANILA – An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said he is not supporting the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) to set up vaccination sites near polling centers on May 9, election day.

According to Comelec Commissioner George Garcia, they want to concentrate on the main event on that day which is for the Filipino people to cast their votes.

“Personally, as a member of the Commission, I think it is not proper with all due respect to the DOH. Of course, we have to focus on the election first which means we have to allow our voters to vote first,” he said at the Kapihan Sa Manila Bay on Wednesday.

The poll body official noted they also do not want to create confusion on the day of the polls.

“The voter may be confused who may think that in order to vote, they need to be vaccinated first or at the same time, the voters may think that vaccination is still a requirement before they will be allowed to vote,” he said.

“Others may be afraid to go, especially those who are unvaxxed because of their beliefs, whether personal or religious or whatever. Those who don’t want to be vaccinated will no longer go to the precincts as they may think that vaccination is a requirement. That’s their constitutional right since there is no law requiring mandatory vaccination at present,” the poll body official added.

Garcia, however, said he has yet to receive any formal communication from the Health department on the said proposal.

“To date, personally, my office has not received any intention on the part of the DOH, or letter of communication, signifying their intention to put-up vaccination centers,” he said.

But, the Comelec Commissioner clarified that he supports the vaccination program of the government.

“I am fully supportive of the vaccination, but it is not the proper time. May 9 is for the election, let’s leave it at that for the election. Elections are only happening every three years, or every six years in the case of national election,” he said.

Earlier, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are discussing the possibility of putting up of vaccination sites near voting centers to be able to inoculate more people.