People pass by campaign posters near a bridge in Sampaloc, Manila on February 16, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Commission on Elections on Sunday defended its new resolution on the use of social media and artificial intelligence (AI) in campaigns for the upcoming 2025 midterm polls, assuring the public it would not infringe on candidates' freedom of expression or speech.

Speaking on TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is open to dialogue with various groups and election watchdogs to discuss Comelec Resolution 11064, which lays out guidelines on the use of social media, AI, and internet technology for digital election campaigns.

WHAT DO THE GUIDELINES SAY?

The resolution requires candidates and parties to register their official social media accounts, websites and similar online campaign platforms with the Comelec. Failure to register could lead to takedown requests by the commission.

Candidates and parties are also required to disclose the use of generative AI in their campaign materials and are prohibited from using deepfake material.

The resolution also penalizes "coordinated inauthentic behavior" — which platforms like Facebook also monitor for and could lead to takedowns of entire networks of accounts — and similar methods to "falsely" amplify campaign materials and messaging.

'CENSORSHIP' 

Poll watchdog Kontra Daya on Thursday called on the Comelec to repeal Comelec Resolution 11064, saying it is "censorship in the guise of fighting 'fake news.'"

Kontra Daya said that while the intention of Comelec Resolution 11064 "appears to be good," it said that "the definitions of 'fake news' and other related terms are so broad that it can include fair commentary protected by freedom of speech and of expression like critical analyses, satire and parody."

The Makabayan Coalition on Wednesday also flagged the Comelec resolution for being "overbroad" and warned that it could affect freedom of expression, urging the Comelec to clarify its new rules.

READ: Makabayan bloc asks Comelec to clarify new social media guidelines

Garcia however said that the guidelines would not look into campaign content, as this could violate freedom of expression or speech.

"Sinigurado naman po namin dito sa guidelines, na amin pong ipapatupad,  na hindi po kami, na wala po kaming pakialam sa content, hindi po namin 'yan papakialaman, sapagkat 'yung content maaaring lumabag ka na sa doon sa tinatawag na freedom of expression or freedom of speech," he said.

(We made sure in these guidelines, which we will implement, that we won't interfere with content. We won't meddle in that because regulating content might violate what we call freedom of expression or freedom of speech.)

"Sapagkat kung hindi kami magre-regulate ano ang sasabihin ng mga kababayan natin, papaano naman ang pangangampanya sa pamamagitan ng social media unregulated na lang?" he also said.

(Because if we don't regulate, what will our fellow citizens say? Should campaigning through social media just be unregulated?

FIRST TIME FOR POLICY

Garcia appealed to critics to give the Comelec rules a chance, saying it is the first time in the country's election history for such guidelines. 

He pointed out that there is no social media regulation law in the Philippines regarding elections, not even in the United States, and that they are attempting to implement regulation.

"Eh bakit ang radyo, ang TV, ang dyaryo, nare-regulate? Sobra nga ang regulasyon eh, pinapa-submit ang mga kontrata, mino-monitor namin kung magkano ang gastos, at pagkatapos ilang minuto, gaano kalaki. Eh pagka social media walang regulasyon? Siguro naman hindi puwede 'yung ganung sistema."

(Why is it that radio, TV, and newspapers are so strictly regulated? They even have to submit contracts, we monitor how much is spent, the duration, and the size. But when it comes to social media, there's no regulation. I think that kind of system isn't acceptable.)

READ: Comelec defends social media regulation for 2025 elections

The Comelec, instead of regulation, should focus on educating voters "so they can tell apart what is credible news from what is not, as well as how to use AI and other technologies responsibly," said Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao.

"If it is serious about fighting misinformation and disinformation, Comelec's voter education program should include media literacy, particularly fact-checking," he said. — Rowegie Abanto, ABS-CBN News