CEBU, Philippines — As the campaign period for the May 2025 midterm elections approaches, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Visayas has warned voters against deepfake videos and other misleading contents.
Comelec-7 assistant regional director Atty. Veronico Petalcorin said they will be closely monitoring online contents especially those pushing their political agenda using deepfake.
Deepfake, as defined by Merriam Webster, “is an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.”
“Mao na ang problema karon kay gigamit kana sa mga politiko para sa paglibog sa mga katawhan,” said Petalcorin.
That is the main reason why the electoral body is asking candidates and political parties to register their social media accounts.
He emphasized the importance of regulating the use of social media, noting that guidelines are necessary to prevent violations of the regulations set by the electoral body while also safeguarding freedom of speech.
Petalcorin explained that the registration process serves as a means to trace and verify if candidates are responsible for specific postings to possess accountability in the digital space.
Petalcorin further clarified that candidates without registered accounts are not restricted from posting. However, he warned them by saying, “Kung di mo ka rehistro sa inyong social media account ug uban pa just be careful sa inyong advertisement og uban pa kay basin maigo mo sa balaod.”
He also highlighted that candidates are compelled to observe the social media advertising regulations just as they are bound to advertising limitations in print media.
When asked as to how to mitigate trolls and dummy accounts to be used by supporters or any entity to attack other parties, Petalcorin noted that they are ready to combat such doing by coordinating with Facebook or other social media platforms involved.
Petalcorin explained that stricter social media regulations could help trace users through verified phone numbers linked to accounts, which may expose the identities behind trolling activities.
“Naay innovations sa trolls so immediately need nato e counter. Mo respond ta kung unsa nay makit-an nato with coordination sa mga tao na motabang og report,” he said.
Comelec-7 is urging both the voters and the candidates to be aware of the potential proliferation of digital misinformation tactics that could possibly influence one’s opinion and affect the outcome of the elections. — (FREEMAN)