Ballot watchdogs laud Comelec’s replace on social media laws

MANILA, Philippines — Ballot watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Accountable Voting (PPCRV) and Nationwide Residents’ Motion for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Tuesday expressed their assist for the Fee on Election (Comelec)’s latest modification on the social media laws for digital election marketing campaign.

PPCRV Nationwide Coordinator Dr. Arwin Serrano and Namfrel Nationwide Chairperson Lito Averia that the modification supplied a clearer roadmap on who’s required to register their social media accounts for the digital campaigning.

“The rationale for the modification is an efficient factor, due to the best to privateness… There have been ideas on why the accounts of those that assist candidates must be included within the registration and regulation,” Serrano mentioned in an ambush interview.

READ: Comelec amends rule on social media accounts registration

Averia additionally mentioned that the ballot watchdog helps Comelec disseminate info on the registration and regulation of social media accounts.

“We’re posting info in our web site and socmed channels concerning the requirement for registration. Not solely that, pati (even) for the good thing about the voters. It’s a part of our voters training program,” Averia mentioned in a separate ambush interview.

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In response to Comelec Decision No. 11064-A, the ballot physique additionally amended the rule on social media pointers by eradicating the supply that the accounts of personal people should even be registered and controlled. The Comelec mentioned the modification goals to uphold the liberty of speech and expression of personal residents.

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The social media account registration is a part of the regulation of digital election campaigning. It goals to control using synthetic intelligence and prohibit the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation.

Additional, Serrano mentioned that the social media regulation is a “good begin” for the 2025 polls and the succeeding ones.

“It is a superb begin. After the 2025 elections, let’s see. Shifting ahead, I’m positive there can be room for enchancment. So let’s see till we polish this,” Serrano famous.

“This is likely to be a prelude to turning into a legislation,” he added.