Comelec Battles Misinformation and Disinformation Ahead of 2025 Midterm Elections
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is taking a proactive stance against the looming threat of misinformation and disinformation in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia emphasized the potential of false narratives to significantly impact the integrity of the electoral process, stating that misinformation and disinformation could “make or break” candidates, the credibility of the commission itself, and the overall trust in the election results. This concern underscores the commission’s commitment to safeguarding the democratic process against manipulation and ensuring a fair and transparent election. The rise of social media and the ease with which false information can be disseminated necessitates a robust response from electoral bodies to counter these threats.
In July 2024, Comelec established Task Force KKK (Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan), a dedicated unit tasked with monitoring and combating election-related misinformation and disinformation across various media platforms, including television, radio, print, and online sources. The task force actively monitors content, debunks false narratives, and counters misinformation targeting the Comelec, its officials, and the electoral process. Chairman Garcia stressed that the Comelec’s actions are not an overreaction but a necessary measure to protect the integrity of the elections, emphasizing their power and right to do so. He asserted that spreading false information about the election process constitutes a violation of existing laws, justifying the commission’s proactive interventions.
The task force’s mandate is to identify and counteract malicious attempts to undermine the electoral process. It focuses on addressing misinformation and disinformation campaigns, which can include fabricated news articles, manipulated videos, and misleading social media posts. These tactics can be used to discredit candidates, sow doubt about the integrity of the voting process, and ultimately influence voter behavior. The task force collaborates with various stakeholders, including media organizations, fact-checking initiatives, and civil society groups, to effectively combat misinformation and disinformation. By partnering with these organizations, the Comelec aims to amplify its message and reach a wider audience.
The commission’s seriousness in tackling this issue was demonstrated by lodging a case against a vice mayoral aspirant in Isabela for alleged violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The individual had posted videos online demonstrating how to manipulate the 2025 elections by hacking automated counting machines and the local source code review process. This action served as a clear message that the Comelec will not tolerate attempts to undermine the integrity of the election through the spread of misinformation and the promotion of illegal activities. The case highlighted the Comelec’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.
Further solidifying its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent election, the Comelec mandated the registration of social media accounts of all candidates and party-list groups. This measure is part of a broader effort to regulate digital election campaigning and address the potential for misuse of online platforms to spread misinformation and manipulate public opinion. By requiring registration, the Comelec aims to increase transparency and accountability in online campaigning, making it easier to monitor and address the spread of false or misleading information. This initiative is part of a wider strategy to adapt to the changing landscape of political campaigning in the digital age.
The Comelec’s efforts extend to regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns and prohibiting the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation generated or amplified through AI technologies. This includes addressing concerns such as deepfakes, AI-generated fake news articles, and the use of AI to manipulate social media trends. By proactively regulating the use of AI in the electoral context, the Comelec aims to prevent the misuse of these technologies to manipulate voters and interfere with the democratic process. This demonstrates the commission’s awareness of emerging technological threats and its commitment to staying ahead of potential challenges.
In conclusion, the Comelec recognizes the significant threat misinformation and disinformation pose to the 2025 midterm elections. Through the establishment of Task Force KKK, the legal action against individuals spreading false information, the mandatory registration of candidates’ social media accounts, and regulations on the use of AI, the commission is demonstrating a proactive and multifaceted approach to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. These efforts underscore the Comelec’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election, where voters can make informed decisions based on facts and not be swayed by misleading or manipulative information. The Comelec’s actions reflect a broader global trend among electoral bodies to grapple with the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.