MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it has no rules mandating vaccination for candidates before they can embark on their respective campaigns.

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"There are no rules requiring vaccination of candidates in order for them to conduct their own campaign… For the campaigns, I believe there are no restrictions along those lines," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a press conference.

The official campaign period for national positions begins on Feb. 8, while the campaign period for local contests opens on March 25.

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Campaigns will cease on May 7, two days before election day.

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Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue among many Filipinos, amid fears of death and acquiring illnesses due to vaccines.

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Many peer-reviewed studies already backed the efficiency and safety of several vaccines against COVID-19. While breakthrough infections are possible, most vaccines prevent hospitalizations and death.

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