Comelec forms panel vs disinformation

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections has launched “Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan, Katarungan (KKK) sa Halalan” to combat misinformation and disinformation ahead of the May 2025 midterm elections.

Task Force KKK, the Comelec said, will monitor and regulate posted and published contents on quadri-media (TV, radio, print and online).

“It will conduct prebunking and debunking of malicious and erroneous information against the Comelec, its officials and the electoral processes. It will also undertake voter education and information efforts,” the poll body said in a statement.

It added that Task Force KKK will also recommend the prosecution of peddlers of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation as well as of malicious actors in the age of artificial intelligence and deepfakes in elections.

The creation of the task force aims “to protect the integrity of the Comelec as well as the sanctity of the elections,” according to the poll body.

Despite legal limitations to the regulation of election propaganda, the Comelec said it will not hesitate to use its plenary role-making powers to issue appropriate rules and regulations to ensure the holding of free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.

“The Comelec is hopeful that the activation of the Task Force KKK sa Halalan will help set the tone for the crafting of further legislation on the matter,” the poll body pointed out.

It added it is best to involve everyone through a consultative and collaborative process since dealing with false information and malicious personalities on the digital front is difficult.

“Misinformation is not solely borne by the poll body but by all stakeholders including the voting public, political parties and prospective candidates,” it added.

The Task Force KKK was officially launched during a recent forum on “Philippine Elections and AI” held at the University of the Philippines College of Law in Quezon City.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia has recently been the subject of malicious attacks by critics of the Commission.

Garcia has denied owning foreign bank accounts or properties abroad. He said the allegations are part of an ongoing demolition job against the poll body by persons opposed to the contract with Miru Systems for the May 2025 midterm elections.