Comelec asks May 2025 bets to register socmed platforms

CEBU, Philippines — Candidates and political parties for the midterm 2025 elections are urged to already register with the Commission on Election (Comelec) social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms that will be used in their campaign.

According to Comelec, registration for these sites is already open ahead of start of the campaign period on January 12, 2025.

Last September 17, Comelec released guidelines on the use of social media, artificial intelligence, and internet technology for digital election campaign, and its prohibition and punishment for its misuse for disinformation and misinformation in connection with next year’s election.

The guidelines came out following Comelec's creation of the Task Force Kontra Fake News last July and later renamed and officially launched as the Task Force sa Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan sa Halalan (Task Force KKK sa Halalan) for the implementation of this matter together with deputized law enforcement agencies, and relevant government instrumentalities

With this, all official social media accounts and pages, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms of candidates, and parties intending to participate in the upcoming elections and their respective campaign teams should be registered.

This also includes those created or managed by any person or entity, other than the candidates or parties themselves, that are primarily designed or primarily used to promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates.

Comelec may register these sites within thirty calendar days after the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy until December 13, 2024.

The deadline is expected to give Comelec ample time to go over the sites before the election and campaign period.

Registration forms for their official socmed accounts and the likes will have to be submitted by the candidates and their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of registered political parties/ coalitions, and party-list organizations.

“Any person or entity other than a candidate or political party, who shall create, or manage similar social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms primarily designed or used during the election period to solicit votes and promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates, shall also submit the registration forms and comply with the requirements of this guidelines” part of the guidelines reads.

Submitted forms will be forwarded to Comelec's Education Information Department through the official online channels that they have provided.

The channels are, for senatorial candidates: https://forms.gle/D9MrJQC24eVXj8L67, while for local candidates: https://forms.gle/jAPktfHJG64k5uBR and  for political parties, party-list organizations and coalitions: https://forms.gle/3hWi6wgxV6bVSY4r7

On the other hand, the prescribed templates for the Affidavit of Undertaking and Sworn Authority to Register, and other information are available at the official Comelec site.

Aside from those that will be submitted online, a hard copy of some documents must also be transmitted to the EID within five days from submission.

All social media accounts and digital campaign platforms for registration to the COMELEC will be submitted and evaluated by the EID, and subsequently reviewed by the Task Force KKK sa Halalan.

The said Task Force will then make an endorsement and recommendation for approval or denial of the reviewed applications to the Commission En Banc.

All approved registrations by the Commission En Banc shall be endorsed to the EID for publication in the COMELEC's official website and social media accounts at the national, regional, and local level.

The social media accounts and digital campaign platforms created and managed by private individuals and entities or organizations registered with the EID will also be published.

For those unregistered or those found with violations, Comelec has warned that they will request for the removal, takedown, or blocking of the said content, social media or digital platforms, or accounts to the technology platforms and providers, and/or the concerned law enforcement agency.

COMELEC’s guidelines also stressed that all election propaganda and campaign materials of candidates and political parties, that utilize artificial intelligence technology will be required to disclose the fact of its use and appropriate technology is employed to identify its authenticity and legitimate source and disclosures or disclaimers will have to be clear. —/ATO (FREEMAN)