By Leonardo Micua

 

BELIEVE me, the COVID-19 pandemic will soar even higher because of the coming political season that will start October 1 to 8 with the filing of CoCs by all prospective candidates and by groups eyeing to be among the front runners in the party list race.

We just witnessed the latest surge of the third wave of the pandemic this year, that was exacerbated by the entry into our country of COVID-19 variants, the most transmittable of all is the Delta variant.  The fourth wave of the pandemic that might come during the election campaign or immediately after, and it could get us into deeper trouble.

As can be expected, candidates will again move around to woo the voters but because of the pandemic, their exposure might be limited. It is understandable if they will not be shaking hands with people they meet during the campaign since they could also be infected by the virus.

I surmise that the campaign ads will be used heavily, particularly in TV and radio, and there will be heavy reliance on social media as well that won’t charge them even a dime.

Sorry, but the vote-buyers will have to device another scheme to perpetuate their illegal activities since people will no longer be allowed to line up for cash in designated vote-buying centers using the cards with QR codes earlier given to them because they will be violating the social distancing protocol.

Of course, they will always find a way to buy votes. And the electorate, most of whom were hit by the backlash of the pandemic will likely succumb again to the color of money.

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As I was writing this piece, I heard Mayor Benjie Magalong of Baguio admit that he requested the national IATF for General Community Quarantine with heightened restrictions  on account of the continuous soaring COVID-19 cases in the Pines City.

We are puzzled why Mayor Brian Lim is not taking a similar tact even if Dagupan City’s active COVID-19 cases already breached the 1,000 mark and is still counting.

With three banks closed last week after some of their employees tested positive for COVID-19, a GCQ with heightened restrictions classification, should be the route that Dagupan should take to slow down the cases. 

Remember that Pangasinan was earlier placed by the national IATF under GCQ with heightened restrictions at the request of Gov. Amado Espino III. Dagupan City, an independent component city, was only designated f at GCQ, which is lighter in classification than that of Pangasinan’s.

Then the towns of Sison, Pozorrubio, Manaoag, Mangaldan and San Jacinto, requested the provincial IATF that they be placed under the more restrictive Modified Enhanced Community  Quarantine even if their combined active cases can not equal the numbers logged by Dagupan. 

What’s keeping the mayor from seeking a higher quarantine classification for the city?  I hope it’s not to protect his own businesses. 

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Mayor Francisco Damagoso aka Isko Moreno is gunning for president with Dr. Willy Ong as his running mate after boxing icon Manny Pacquiao also announced his presidential run  and the end of his long boxing career.

But Senator Ping Lacson and President Tito Sotto beat them to the draw by being the first tandem to announce their respective presidential and vice presidential bids.

Will Senator Bong Go change his mind and accepts the offer of the Cusi wing of the PDP  Laban to run for President in tandem with President Rodrigo Duterte who is running for Vice President now that Isko, Pacquiao and Lacson are in the tight presidential race?

Up to this writing, Vice President Leni Robredo has yet to make up her mind whether to run for the highest post or aspire for a lower position. With her failed talks with Isko and Pacquiao for a unity ticket, many believe she should forego her plan to run for President and support instead a stronger candidate.

Bongbong Marcos, the only prospective bet from vote-rich Ilocandia, that includes Pangasinan, has made himself available to run for President and is still continuously courting Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to be his running mate or as VP if Sara aims to succeed her father as president.

That is if the father will agree to withdraw his VP bid and will instead back his daughter as his successor.

A five or six corner fight could be in the offing if former Speaker and Taguig Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano will join the fray.

Let’s wait and see.

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