By Nehmia Elyxa Relano

PHOTO: ABS-CBN News

As the government continues to vaccinate against COVID-19, Malacañang said on Tuesday that it is confident there would be no areas under granular lockdowns during the holding of the national elections in May next year.

The government is aiming to have population protection at least in Metro Manila and eight other areas by the end of the year.

“Kampante ako na habang dumadami ang ating mga nababakunahan, ‘pag nagkaroon na tayo ng population protection or containment tingin ko makakapagbalik buhay tayo lahat,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace briefing.

Moreover, should lockdowns persist during the 2022 elections, Roque said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) could reset voting in areas under lockdown.

"The Comelec (Commission on Elections) would know what constitutes failure of elections, and we will answer once we are there [in such a situation]. But the Comelec can reset election day for those areas under lockdown," Roque responded when asked if granular lockdowns could prevent individuals from participating in the 2022 elections.

Roque stated on Tuesday that there are at least 18.8 million Filipinos who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of September 20.