By Sonya Delgado
The Commission on Elections Region (Comelec) XI reminded the 1, 437 local candidates to register their official social media accounts or face account removal.
Atty. Michael C. Abas, Comelec XI regional election director, said under Comelec Resolution No. 11064 candidates have until December 13 to register their official social media accounts, vlogs, blogs, and artificial technologies (AI) they are going to use in their digital campaign.
The Comelec reasoned that registration of these official digital accounts will help curb fake news.
“This is more on regulation. Everyone should register their accounts so we can regulate,” Abas said.
He added that by registering their social media accounts they will be able to show that they can follow rules.
“If you cannot follow a simple resolution, what kind of official would you be if you already won?” Abas said.
The Comelec will also launch a fact checking campaign on what is released on their social media accounts, although they have not made clear if they have enough personnel to do the fact checking.
Abas also said that he is not sure if the head office is working with Google and Meta to ensure the proper implementation of the resolution.
The Comelec resolution has prompted groups like Kontra Daya to call for the repeal of this resolution saying that it can abridge the freedom of speech.
Abas, however, assured that Comelec had thoroughly studied the resolution along with some media groups before it was released.
“It is not meant to abridge freedom of expression, just regulation of fake news,” Abas said.
Comelec recognized that there would be people who would be against it.
“There are birth pains to be expected. We just need the understanding of the stakeholders,” Abas said.
Abas also urged the Filipinos to give it a chance before shooting it down.
“While we recognize their right to question this, I hope that they give it a chance to prove its worth. The resolution has no other desire but to give the people an orderly and fair election,” he said.
While Comelec is sternly reminding candidates to register their accounts, they assured that they will not immediately remove the accounts of the erring party.
“We will give them time to explain and comply with it,” Abas said.