The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will amend its regulations on the use of social media to exempt from registration privately owned accounts that endorse political candidates for next year’s midterm elections.
Poll chairman George Garcia said the en banc will decide this week the removal of a provision regulating the social media accounts of private individuals as part of the guidelines on digital election campaigns.
“The removal of the provision will uphold the freedom of speech and expression of private citizens to protect citizens’ rights,” he said.
Earlier, the poll body said that candidates and parties should register official campaign accounts to prevent misrepresentation and misinformation, but private accounts should be free to share their opinions online without unnecessary restrictions.
Gracia said he would ask the Comelec en banc for the removal of the registration and regulation of socmed (social media) accounts of private individuals, so there would be a balance between transparency and free expression.
“I believe it’s correct that we can’t cover private individuals… They’re not candidates, and they’re not political parties,” he added.
Last month, the Comelec released Resolution No. 11064, which mandates that all candidates, political parties, and their campaign teams register their social media accounts, websites, and other digital and internet-based platforms that will be used for virtual campaigning.
The resolution also specifically requires “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” to also register their accounts with the Comelec’s Education and Information Department.
Garcia acknowledged that this regulation could inadvertently encroach on citizens’ freedom of speech and expression.
