The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will no longer require individuals endorsing candidates for the May 2025 elections to register their social media accounts.
In a memorandum order, Comelec ruled that only official social media accounts, pages, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms of candidates and political parties will be required to register with the Comelec Education and Information Department.
The poll body said it removed a provision regulating the social media accounts of private individuals.
The decision was made after consultations with stakeholders, during which the issue of freedom of expression was discussed and considered.
“The freedom of expression is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, serving as a cornerstone of a democratic society by ensuring open dialogue, the free exchange of ideas, and the protection of individual opinions, allowing Filipinos to speak freely on various issues, including politics, governance, social issues, and the elections,” Comelec’s memorandum read.
In a resolution issued Monday, the poll body amended Resolution No. 11064 requiring the registration of all official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms of the candidates, parties, their campaign teams as well as private individuals or entities, that are endorsing the election or defeat of a candidate in next year’s elections.
“Only the candidates and their authorized representatives, as well as authorized representatives of registered political parties/coalitions, and party-list organizations, may submit their registration forms for their official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs/vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms,” the amended resolution read.
