Candidates start campaigns amid relaxed COVID-19 rules

Local electoral campaigns commenced on Friday, March 25, with 46,120 candidates vying for 18,023 local positions across the Philippines.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) dropped its requirement for permits for rallies and other activities in areas under pandemic alert levels 1 and 2.

Campaign activities like rallies and meetings de avance are allowed up to 100 percent of the venue's operational capacity, provided health protocols are observed.

Despite relaxed rules, Comelec reminds candidates to continue observing health protocols, with physical contact activities remaining prohibited.

Authorities are now more alert with the start of the campaign period, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) surveying 488 municipalities and 52 cities identified as election "hotspots".

Around 39 municipalities and seven cities are placed under Red Alert due to the highest incidences of violence.

The poll body urged the public to continue observing minimum public health safety protocols, including wearing masks, to prevent campaign activities from becoming "superspreader" events.