The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is no longer mandating the registration of privately-owned accounts endorsing candidates for the 2025 national and local elections (NLE).
In a resolution issued Monday, the poll body amended Resolution No. 11064 requiring the registration of all official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms of the candidates, parties, their campaign teams as well as private individuals or entities, that are endorsing the election or defeat of a candidate in next year’s elections.
“Only the candidates and their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of registered political parties/coalitions, and party-list organizations, may submit their registration forms for their official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs/vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms,” the amended resolution reads.
Amended Resolution No. 11064 also removes the private individuals’ required submission of notarized affidavit vowing not to promote the misuse of social media and online election campaign, as well as the sanctions provided for their failure to comply.
The Comelec has set December 13, 2024 as the deadline for the registration.
The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives earlier sent a letter to the Comelec expressing concern on some of the provisions of Resolution 11064, including the mandatory registration of social media accounts, websites, digital and Internet-based campaign platforms of candidates, parties, and their supporters, saying it “might affect freedom of expression.” —KBK, GMA Integrated News
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