Poll body slams fake news vs Bayan Muna

Bayan Muna chair and first nominee Neri Colmenares

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) denied that it has disqualified Bayan Muna from participating in the May 12 elections as it warned that those spreading disinformation against the party list group face penalties, including imprisonment and a lifetime ban on holding public office.

“The commission en banc did not disqualify Bayan Muna for this year’s elections. The party list and all of its nominees are all still part of the party list groups which [people can vote for] on Monday,” the poll body said late Saturday.

Since Friday, several Facebook pages have been posting a fake Comelec press release and edited images resembling news reports from legitimate media outlets, including Inquirer.net, claiming that Bayan Muna, which is part of the opposition Makabayan bloc, has been disqualified and that any votes for it will be considered “null and void.”

“This kind of document mimicry that falsely appears to come from a government agency is a direct and blatant violation of every Filipino’s right to accurate and truthful information, especially during election season,” the Comelec said.

It warned perpetrators that spreading false and alarming information is an election offense under Section 261(z)(11) of the Omnibus Election Code.

Violators face imprisonment of up to six years without probation, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of their right to vote.

However, Bayan Muna chair and first nominee Neri Colmenares, who filed a complaint before the Comelec on Sunday against the fake news spreaders, urged it to take more concrete action.

“We appreciate Comelec’s prompt statement confirming that Bayan Muna remains on the ballot. However, Comelec must also use its full legal powers to investigate, identify and prosecute those behind this criminal disinformation campaign,” Colmenares said.

“If the Comelec does not act on this, it will become a precedent where this kind of deception may be used in every election. Fake news of disqualification of candidates proliferated during the 2022 presidential elections,” he added.

Other party list groups under the Makabayan bloc have also asked Comelec to debunk fake news circulating on social media that they too have been disqualified. —with a report from Jeannette I. Andrade