Commissioner George Garcia said Wednesday that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would file complaints against five people who allegedly spread “fake news” on social media about the 2022 elections.
Garcia said he previously forwarded the five occasions when the electoral process’ legitimacy and integrity were “undermined” to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last week during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
“Asahan niyo po in the next succeeding days, even after the elections, we will be filing cases against these individuals simply because mali po ‘yung ginagawa nila [what they’re doing is wrong],” he said.
On the other hand, Garcia emphasized that the polling organization is solely against fake news or incorrect information, not criticisms or remarks.
He emphasized the significance of free expression and promised that anyone who merely voices their views on the elections would not face legal action.
“But remember din po that information is an oxygen of democracy. Information must be truthful and the Comelec will watch everything as far as those untruthful information is concerned. Fake news, pakiiwasan po natin ‘yan [let us avoid that],” he said.
Five people to face cases for spreading ‘fake news’ on social media
According to Garcia, anyone who spreads false information to voters might face a prison sentence of one to six years under the Omnibus Election Code.
“The Comelec would like to 100% guarantee to everyone that we will always observe constitutional due process. Everybody will be afforded due process,” he said.
The Comelec established the Task Force Kontra Fake News earlier this year to fight disinformation and combat any attempt to undermine the democratic process’ integrity.
Earlier this year, the polling organization established a task team to combat vote-buying during election season.
Task Force Kontra Bigay, which includes the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Information Agency, has been assigned to Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino.
Any individual found guilty of an election violation under the Omnibus Election Code faces a sentence of not less than one year but not more than six years in jail.
Those found guilty will also lose their ability to vote and be barred from running for public office, and any political party found guilty of vote-buying would be penalized.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.