[WATCH] #PHVote Dialogues: Pandemic response and the elections

Candidates in the 2022 Philippine elections will probably be best measured against how they intend to move the country forward as the pandemic is expected to linger and when it is over.

Will they be following the militaristic strategy employed by the Duterte administration? Or will they explore lessons from other countries and pursue a more scientific and data-driven pandemic response?

Less than a year before the 2022 elections, the country is still battling the spread of COVID-19. As of June 10, the country has recorded almost 1.3 million cases of COVID-19 and 22,312 deaths. Despite the efforts of the government, civil society, and the private sector to prevent the spread of the disease, deep-seated systemic issues in health, education, transportation, and governance have surfaced.

Some quarters have suggested the possibility of postponing the elections while there’s a pandemic, although the Comelec has given assurances that it can find a way to safely hold the elections in 2022. (READ: Comelec urges vigilance against ‘no-elections’ scenario in 2022)

To talk about how both the pandemic and the government’s response are shaping the upcoming elections, Rappler will be hosting the third session of #PHVote Dialogues on Wednesday, June 23, at 6 pm.

#PHVote Dialogues are monthly huddles featuring personalities from the entertainment and arts industries, a subject matter expert, and Rappler’s own journalists.

We will be joined by karate athlete James delos Santos, Rappler’s news editor Paterno Esmaquel II, St. Luke’s Medical Center – College of Medicine Planetary and Global Health Program inaugural director Dr. Renzo Guinto, and actress Ria Atayde.

This will be hosted by Rappler’s Lifestyle and Entertainment editor Bea Cupin.

For those who would like to join the huddle, you may click here or sign up below:

#PHVote Dialogues are part of #WeDecide: Atin ang Pilipinas, Rappler’s 2022 Elections coverage. – Rappler.com