Comelec allows some OVP COVID-19 response programs during campaign

By CNN Philippines Staff

Published Mar 23, 2022 12:38:36 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 23) — The Commission on Elections on Wednesday allowed the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to resume some projects under its COVID-19 pandemic response program even as VP Leni Robredo continues her presidential campaign.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said specific projects under the “Angat Buhay” program are exempted from the public works and fund disbursements ban.

“In an executive session today, the en banc granted the petition for exception of the Office of the Vice President of certain projects and programs during the 45-day period of the campaign,” he said.

The OVP sought exemption for its COVID-19 response programs, such as Bayanihan E-Konsulta, Swab Cab, and Vaccine Express, that began at the height of the Omicron surge in January. Logos of the said programs were also redesigned to remove links to Robredo.

People seeking medical support flocked to Robredo’s social media pages after the program was suspended in February, but they were denied help pending the Comelec decision.

The Robredo camp welcomed the Comelec decision.

“This will ensure that Angat Buhay projects which have helped hundreds of thousands of Filipinos in the past six years can continue to bring hope,” OVP spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said.

SOURCE: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/3/23/Comelec-Robredo-COVID-19-OVP-program.html