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LENTE concerned over disinformation ahead of Eleksyon 2022

The Legal Network for Truthful Election (LENTE) has expressed concern over the effects of misinformation and disinformation in the coming May 2022 polls.

In the latest episode of The Howie Severino Podcast, LENTE executive director Atty. Ona Caritos said they are worried about the role and effect of misinformation and disinformation, adding that it could affect the integrity of the upcoming elections.

“Halos lahat ng mga party ngayon worry about the conduct and the quality and the credibility of the electoral exercise," Caritos told journalist Howie Severino.

"At kapag pumapasok 'yung misinformation, disinformation, ang pinaka-worry namin is baka masyado siyang makaapekto roon sa integridad ng eleksyon na hindi na tatanggapin ng mga tao 'yung resulta ng eleksyon,” he added.

(Almost all parties today are worried about the conduct and the quality and the credibility of the electoral exercise. And when misinformation, disinformation comes in, our biggest worry is that it might affect the integrity of the election so much that people will no longer accept the election result.)

Caritos said the role and responsibility of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was very important in combating the allegations and misinformation on social media platforms.

“Kaya malaki, malaki ang role at responsibility ng Comelec natin na 'yung mga allegation pa lang o 'yung mga susulpot sa mga social media platform, kailangan nilang i-address agad lalo na kapag ma-address naman at lalo na kung ito ay misinformation at disinformation,” she said.

(The Comelec has a big role and responsibility that those allegations or those that will appear on social media platforms, they need to be addressed immediately especially if it is misinformation and disinformation.)

“Kapag hindi masyadong mae-explain ni Comelec, talagang mag-iisip ang mga tao na may dayaan bang nangyayari or itong mga election na ito ay naka-program na para ganito o ganyang kandidato ang manalo,” she added.

(If the Comelec can't explain much, people will really think that fraud is happening or that these elections are already programmed for that candidate to win.)

To know more about what to look out for in Eleksyon 2022, listen to the podcast episode embedded in this article.

Several officials of Comelec have called out and warned people questioning the integrity of the conduct of the 2022 polls.

Commissioner Rey Bulay warned that the Comelec would seek the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to arrest these people who are causing disorder in the elections.

Eleksyon 2022  is set on May 9. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News