Comelec coordinates with NTC to study possible laws vs. use of emergency alert system for political agenda

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to study possible laws against the use of emergency alert system for political agenda, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Friday.

“Sa ngayon, alam natin na nag-iimbestiga na ang NTC and I am reaching out to NTC to update us on the investigation… Sa tingin natin wala namang nalabag na elections law but definitely, pinagaaralan natin ang future legislation para ma-prevent ‘yung ganyang pagaabuso sa emergency alert system,” Jimenez said in a radio interview.

(For now, the NTC is investigating and I am reaching out to NTC to update us on the investigation. We think, there are no elections laws that were violated, but definitely,, we are looking into this to see future legislations against this abuse of the emergency alert system.)

“Napakabago kasi ng atake na ito, napakabago ng estratehiya na ito, at gusto nating maintindihan ano ba talaga ang legal foundations natin dito…Nakabantay na tayo, so we will be able to move forward much faster ‘pag ginawa nila ulit ‘yan,” he added.

(This is a new kind of attack, a new kind of strategy, and we want to understand what are the legal foundations on this. We are monitoring this already so we will be able to move forward much faster should it happen again in the future.)

Last Wednesday, cellphone users within the vicinity of the Harbor Garden Tent at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City received the alert after the son of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy for president for the 2022 elections.

The “emergency alert” declares: “Buong Buo and Malasakit sa Bansa. Buong Buhay and Maialay sa taong bayan. Bagong Bukas na Masagana para sa masa. Babangon Muli ang Pilipinas (V) BBM sa bansa. BBM sa taong bayan, BBM sa Masa... BBM Pilipinas  #BBM2022”

The NTC has ordered an investigation into the matter, saying they already coordinated with telcos and asked them whether the emergency alert went through their networks.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate and chairman Neri Colmenares have urged the NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to investigate the matter.

The Comelec earlier emphasized that the use of the emergency alert system for political propaganda purposes can be deemed as ill-advised, at best.

“Whether or not criminal liability will attach to those who are behind this move will have to be determined by the appropriate agencies of government,” Jimenez said.

Marcos’ camp cried foul over the emergency cellphone alerts, saying  the “illegal” use of the emergency alerts was among the many demolition jobs perpetrated by those who want to frustrate his candidacy. — RSJ, GMA News