2 hours Ago
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday reminded aspirants vying for local and national positions to register their social media accounts for the 2025 May elections. Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia reiterated that 62 out of 44,000 aspirants and 156 party-list groups have so far registered as of October 21. “Ang pakiusap natin kung talagang walang balak na.
..mag-commit ng ethical violations.
..sana iparehistro ang kanilang social media accounts sapagkat napakaimportante ‘yun upang ma-monitor namin ang kanilang kinikilos, kanilang nilalagay at mga paggastos,” Garcia told reporters on the sidelines of the inspection of the Comelec data center in Parañaque City.
(Our appeal is that if they will not commit ethical violations, they should register their social media accounts because it's very important for us to monitor their actions, posts, and expenses.) Latest data from the Comelec showed the 62 aspirants submitted hard copies for registration. At least 179 local bets, three senatorial aspirants, and four party-list groups, meanwhile, submitted online registration forms.
“‘Wag na magpatigasan at sana ‘wag susubukan ang Comelec sapagkat pwede kami mag-disqualify sa inyo at pwede file-an ng election offense...
Mas maganda na sumunod na sa pakatakaran kasi ang purpose naman ng patakaran ay para siguraduhin na pantay-pantay ang lahat,” the poll chief added. (They should adhere to the guidelines because we can disqualify them or file an election offense. It would be better if they just follow the rules because the purpose of the rules is to ensure that everything is fair.
) In September, the Comelec issued a resolution mandating all candidates, party-lists, and their campaign teams to register their official social media accounts, pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms until December 13 as part of their bid to regulate and prohibit the misuse of social media for next year’s elections. The Task Force sa Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan (KKK) sa Halalan election task force will review the applications and will endorse the accounts for approval or denial to the Commission en banc. Approved registration will be published on the poll body’s official website as well as social media accounts.
Violating the guidelines would result to a show cause order, requiring the involved candidates or parties to explain why a complaint should not be filed against them, according to the resolution. An election offense complaint may also be filed against violators. “Kung kailan malapit na tsaka magpaparehistro, inaasahan na namin ‘yan.
Ayaw pa nila mag-file, bakit? Kasi baka idisqualify sila o baka i-cancel ang candidacy...
Maraming mga kadahilanan pero handa na ang aming Education and Information Department upang tanggapin ang kanilang application for registration,” said Garcia. (Were expecting to see the surge in registration days before teh deadline. Maybe they don't want to file because they're afraid they might get disqualified or their candidacy might be canceled.
There are many reasons, but our Education and Information Department is ready to accept their application for registration.) The poll chief also said the Comelec will not intervene with the aspirants’ campaign contents on social media as it may be considered violation of freedom of speech and expression. Garcia also said the use of social media influencers for campaigning will be included in the campaign expenditures.
“Maliwanag dapat ang mandato at paninindigan ng Comelec. Hindi namin pwedeng pakialamanan ang content na malalagay sa social media,” he said. (The mandate and stand of the Comelec are clear.
We cannot interfere with their content.) “In the same manner na hindi namin pwede basta pakialamanan kung ano ang pwede malagay sa campaign materials at tarpaulin maliban kung ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap sa ating moralidad at ethical standards,” Garcia added. (In the same manner, we cannot simply interfere with what can be placed on campaign materials and tarpaulins unless it is unacceptable to our morality and ethical standards.
) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News.
