Marissa Catubig brings her 1-year old daughter, Charlyn, as she votes for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections at Manuel Roxas High School in Quezon City, October 30, 2023. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The National Movement of Citizens for Free Elections (Namfrel) is urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to come up with a "Code of Conduct" on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for election-related activities.

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"Because yung AI nga alam naman natin, pwedeng maimpluwensyahan yung ating halalan," Namfrel chairman Angel Averia, Jr. told ABS-CBN News.

(Because we know that AI can influence our election.)

The AI code of conduct would be a timely guide for candidates given that the October 1 to 8 filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for next year's elections is fast approaching.

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"Ngayon pa lang ang ating mga kandidato, political parties nag-iisip na 'yan ng mga strategies nila. And I will not be surprised kung nag-uumpisa na rin silang gumamit ng AI," Averia pointed out.

(This early, candidates and political parties are already thinking of campaign strategies. And we will not be surprised if they will be using AI.)

"Kailangan lamang ng maglabas ng gabay ang Comelec kung papaano ba gagamitin itong AI na to sa pangangampanya," he added.

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(We need to have a guide from the Comelec as to the use of AI for campaign purposes.)

However, he said passing a law against AI "could still stifle" technological growth.

"Hindi pa kasi natin nakikita ang kabuuan ng impact ng paggamit ng AI," he said.

(We have yet to see the impact of AI use.)

Namfrel meanwhile sees the importance of strengthening the "circle of influencers" in every community to help voters choose better candidates.

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The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) is also looking at different ways to guard the people's votes in the face of massive disinformation, AI use, vote buying, political dynasty, and other challenges that the nation will face for next year's elections.

LENTE executive director Rona Caritos is now closely coordinating with the Comelec to come up with steps to combat fake news.

"Malaki 'yung pakikipagtulungan sa Commission on Elections. Dahil naniniwala kami na 'yung mga polisiya na ilalatag ng Comelec ay malaking tulong sa mga problema natin patungkol sa disinformation, abuse of state resources, vote-buying at 'yung mga controlled areas," Caritos said.

(We are coordinating with the Comelec because we believe that they can come up with policies to fight disinformation, abuse of state resources, vote-buying and how to deal with controlled areas.)

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