Colmenares files complaint vs. fake news; Comelec says Bayan Muna not disqualified

Bayan Muna has filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against disinformation targeting the party-list group a few days before Eleksyon 2025.

On Sunday, Bayan Muna national chairperson Neri Colmenares arrived at the Comelec in Intramuros, Manila, to lodge the complaint, which called for action against the fake news in at least 12 social media targeting the partylist and the alleged coordinated red-tagging campaign against them. 

The disinformation allegedly involved what appeared to be a Comelec resolution disqualifying Bayan Muna.

The Comelec denounced as “fake news” an alleged press statement from the Office of the Comelec Spokesperson announcing the disqualification of the Bayan Muna partylist from the 2025 May midterm polls.

"Walang nilabas na resolution ang Commission en bank na nagdidiskwalipilka sa Bayan Muna party-list ngayong halalan at sila ay opisyal pa rin na kabilang sa listahan ng mga partylist groups na maaaring iboto sa Lunes,” the poll body said. 

(The Comelec en banc did not release any resolution on the Bayan Muna’s alleged disqualification. They remain qualified candidates and may be voted for on Monday.)

“Ang ganitong istilo at paggaya ng dokumento na animo’y galing sa isang ahensya ng gobyerno ay direkta at tahasang paglabag sa karapatan ng bawat Pilipino sa tama at wastaong impormasyon lalo na ngayong panahon ng eleksyon," it added.

(These kinds of strategies of replicating documents from government agencies are a direct violation of Filipinos’ rights to information, especially now during the elections.)

The partylist urged the Comelec to issue a statement categorically denying the false reports and clarifying that Bayan Muna is not disqualified and remains a legitimate and qualified candidate for elections.  

"This is not just fake news; this is election sabotage. The deliberate fabrication of COMELEC documents and press releases to mislead voters is a criminal offense that strikes at the very heart of our democratic process,” Colmenares said.

“We are filing this complaint to hold accountable those who seek to disenfranchise voters through deception and intimidation,” he said.

It likewise called on the Comelec to issue a strong statement condemning fake news and to investigate complaints and incidents related to the spreading of misinformation and disinformation.

"Kung hindi ito gagawin ng COMELEC, ito ay magiging precedent na sa bawat eleksyon ay maaaring gamitin ang ganitong uri ng panlilinlang,” said Colmenares. 

(If the Comelec does not take action, then this will set a precedent.)

“Fake news of the disqualification of candidates proliferated during the 2022 presidential elections. We should put a stop to this, otherwise, it will be repeated in the 2028 presidential elections,” he added. 

(The fake news of candidates being disqualified proliferated during the 2022 presidential elections. We should put a stop to this, otherwise, it will be repeated in the 2028 presidential elections.) –NB, GMA Integrated News

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