Ex-Comelec commissioner worries over online campaign falsehoods

Former Comelec Commissioner and election expert Luie Guia on Tuesday expressed concern over the possible implementation of an online election campaign in 2022, pointing to the disinformation that proliferated on social media platforms.

“Kasi ang gusto rin natin, bagamat gusto natin makaabot ng sapat na impormasyon sa taong bayan para makapagpili sila ng tama, gusto rin natin na totoong impormasyon ‘yung kanilang makukuha,” Guia said in Mariz Umali’s report on “State of the Nation.”

“Umiikot ang disinformation usually sa mga social media platforms,” he added.

This was after Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez said that Comelec was considering a ban on face-to-face campaigning during the 2022 elections as the country was still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jimenez also said the Comelec was also eyeing new rules and regulations for online election campaigns.

Guia, meanwhile, advised the use of the radio, television, and pamphlets to spread information on the platform of candidates. He earlier said that many Filipinos still had no internet connection.

According to the former commissioner, an online campaign would also be a big challenge for not only the Comelec but also the candidates should it be implemented.

“Unang-una ‘yung enforceability. Kaya ba ma-enforce at the national level?” he said.

“Pangalawa, tignan natin ‘yung legal framework natin. ‘Yung legal framework natin, ‘yung statutory framework, ‘yung constitutional framework, andyan pa rin naman ‘yung freedom of assembly, consensus, code of conduct. Bago ka magkaroon ng something in writing that you would have to use as a regulation,” he added.

The Comelec said that it would conduct a public consultation with election stakeholders to discuss the proposal. They were also coordinating with several social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Meanwhile, the Comelec also reminded the public that voter registration would end in September, adding that it was unlikely to be extended as the filing of the certificate of candidacy will be held in October. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News