Comelec to monitor surveys ahead of Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to monitor political surveys that may influence voters in the upcoming Eleksyon 2025.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s Tuesday report on “24 Oras,” the Comelec also will look into candidates' endorsements by celebrities and influencers.

The poll body said it would not simply accept the usual excuse that the endorsements were free.

Candidates have to declare the expenses in their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures, which the Comelec will publicize.

Under the law, national candidates under a political party may only spend P3 per registered voter, while independent national candidates may only allot P5 per voter.

“Kung makakapag-avail kayo ng influencers eh di magbayad lang ng tamang buwis o i report lang sa Comelec para lang alam namin magkaano ang ginastos, compliant pa ba sila sa tatlong piso at limang piso as the case may be na prino provide ng ating batas,” Comelec chairperson George Garcia said.

(Candidates using influencers as endorsers should pay the right tax and report to the Comelec for us to know if they’re still compliant with the P3 or P5 spending under the law.)

The Comelec said it will release guidelines regarding this matter soon.

The poll body added that it was looking into monitoring political surveys.

“Mukhang walang compliance doon sa decision ng korte suprema lalo't ang pag-uusapan ay pag-reveal sino ang nag komisyon, saan kinuha yung mga respondents, ano ang mga parameters ng mga questions, at the same time ano ang scientific basis o yung mismong paano nag arrive sa mga data,” Garcia said.

(It seems that there’s no compliance with the Supreme Court’s decision, especially when it comes to revealing who commissioned it, where the respondents came from, what are the parameters of the questions, and at the same time what is the scientific basis or how did the data arrive.)

Comelec and Tiktok signed a memorandum of understanding to fight disinformation on the social media app.

TikTok also launched an election center that can be found on the app when they search for information on the 2025 polls.

The Comelec also signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to strengthen the participation of indigenous people in the election and to protect their rights. –Celine Serquina/NB, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.