Poll watchdogs laud Comelec’s update on social media regulations

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MANILA, Philippines — Poll watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Tuesday expressed their support for the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s recent amendment on the social media regulations for digital election campaigns.

PPCRV National Coordinator Dr. Arwin Serrano and Namfrel National Chairperson Lito Averia that the amendment provided a clearer roadmap on who is required to register their social media accounts for digital campaigning.

“The reason for the amendment is a good thing, because of the right to privacy… There were suggestions on why the accounts of those who support candidates have to be included in the registration and regulation,” Serrano said in an ambush interview.

READ: Comelec amends rule on social media accounts registration

Averia also said that the poll watchdog is helping Comelec disseminate information on the registration and regulation of social media accounts.

“We’re posting information [on] our website and socmed channels about the requirement for registration. Not only that, pati (even) for the benefit of the voters. It’s part of our voter’s education program,” Averia said in a separate ambush interview.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 11064-A, the poll body also amended the rule on social media guidelines by removing the provision that the accounts of private individuals must also be registered and regulated. The Comelec said the amendment aims to uphold the freedom of speech and expression of private citizens.

The social media account registration is part of the regulation of digital election campaigning. It aims to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and prohibit the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation.

Further, Serrano said that the social media regulation is a “good start” for the 2025 polls and the succeeding ones.

“This is a very good start. After the 2025 elections, let’s see. Moving forward, I’m sure there would be room for improvement. So let’s see until we polish this,” Serrano noted.

“This might be a prelude to becoming a law,” he added.