GMA Network signs partnership with leading orgs for Eleksyon 2019

As election season kicks off with hundreds of potential candidates filing their COCs this week, GMA Network and its partners, the most respected names in media, telecommunications, technology, the academe, business, and public service prepare to bring the most trusted and in-depth multi-platform coverage of the 2019 Philippine mid-term elections.

At the Eleksyon 2019 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing held on Friday, October 19 at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City, GMA's Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon underscored the important role of each partner institution in safeguarding the ballot and in standing for truth.

"The pace of information is quicker than ever. New ways to share facts and ideas continue to emerge. While this may be a good thing, many believe, however, that this has also helped blur the line between truth and lies. In the face of this reality, our commitment to the truth is unwavering" he said, citing the challenging times nations all over the world face with the spread of false information.

"Sama-sama nating 'Pusuan ang Totoo,'" he urged the partners present during the signing. "

Gozon said the network needs the cooperation of other institutions and agencies in delivering an efficient election coverage.

"Walang isang organization, no matter how big, can cover everything... dahil itong eleksyon ay napakalaki, it's all over the Philippines. So kahit na gaano ka kalaki, you cannot cover anything. We need the cooperation," he said.

"Sabi nga ni Commissioner Guanzon 'yung dissemination ng information napakahirap na eh, eh 'yun pang kumbinsihin mo 'yung mga botante na bumoto ng tama?" he added.

Now, more than ever, we remain steadfast in delivering an election coverage with no spins or personal agenda - truthfully, accurately, comprehensively, and driven only by Serbisyong Totoo," Gozon said.

GMA Network also launched its election advocacy, "Pusuan ang Totoo", a call to stand for what is true, to fight against corruption and disinformation, and to choose leaders who will truly serve the country.

The Eleksyon 2019 launch was hosted by GMA News and Public Affairs anchors Mike Enriquez and Vicky Morales. This marks the first public appearance of veteran broadcaster Mike Enriquez after his heart bypass operation last September.

Joining the leadership of Atty. Gozon and GMA's President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. are the Kapuso Network's internal partners: GMA News TV, GMA New Media Inc. (NMI), GMA Radio (RGMA,  DZBB and WLS-FM), GMA Regional TV, GMA News Online and GMA News and Public Affairs Social Media, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International, and GMA Kapuso Foundation.

GMA's Eleksyon 2019 coverage is fortified by partners from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), telecommunications giant PLDT-Smart Communications, leading media organizations Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Inquirer.net and Catholic Media Network (CMN), and election watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

Joining the roster of Eleksyon 2019 partners are the country's top universities: University of the Philippines (UP); Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU); De La Salle University (DLSU); University of Santo Tomas (UST); and AMA Education System. For the first time, GMA is honored to welcome regional school partners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao: PHINMA - University of Pangasinan in North Central Luzon; University of San Carlos in Cebu City; Silliman University in Dumaguete City; West Visayas State University in Iloilo City; Central Mindanao University in Bukidnon; Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City; and Holy Cross of Davao College in Davao City.

Continuing the proud line-up are partners from the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP); the Philippine Bar Association (PBA); the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); and the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI).

Finally, Eleksyon 2019 promises superior digital coverage in collaboration with video-sharing platform YouTube and social media platform Twitter.

Voter education as a challenge

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon welcomed its partnership with GMA Network as it aims to help the public choose their candidates wisely as well as battling dissemination of misinformation during the poll period.

"Natutuwa po ang Commission on Election, ang aming Chairman at mga Commissioners na kami ay naanyayahan ninyo na magkapit-bisig para sa eleksyon ng 2019. Masaya po lagi ang eleksyon ng Pilipinas pero sa ngayong eleksyon po, marami ding challenges lalo na sa voter education," Guanzon said.

"Isa pa pong dapat pagtulangan aside sa accurate and timely information for our voters ay labanan po natin ang fake news, kasi pati po ang Comelec, nafafake news din. So, if we do not have truthful facts, there is no way our voters differentiate good candidates and bad candidates," she added.

Guanzon pointed out that the poll body cannot solely do its responsibilities without support from the media.

"Now with this partnership we can take advantage of this opportunity that we have regional partners to disseminate public information now through them,"  she said.

GMA Network and its partners commit to deliver the most comprehensive coverage of Eleksyon 2019 across all platforms-helping the Filipino public have access to the facts, and empowering people to make informed choices for the nation's brighter future.  —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News