Comelec registration not required for private online accounts

In a resolution promulgated on Nov. 13, the Commission en banc cited the need to protect private individuals’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression.(Arianne Lacanilao/PCI Photo)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Private individuals need not register their webpages, vlogs and other online platforms that they will use to campaign for or against a particular candidate in the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

In a resolution promulgated on Nov. 13, the Commission en banc cited the need to protect private individuals’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression.

“Whereas, after conducting consultations and meetings with concerned stakeholders, the issue of safeguarding the freedom of expression of private individuals was duly raised and deliberated upon,” Resolution no. 11064-A read.

“Whereas, 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,” it added.

The Comelec en banc earlier issued Resolution No. 11064 mandating “candidates, political parties, and any person or entity, who shall create, or manage social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms primarily designed or used during the election period to solicit votes and promote the election or defeat of a particular candidate or candidates” to register with the Education and Information Department (EID).

The amended resolution requires candidates and political parties to register their official social media accounts and pages, websites, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and other online and internet-based campaign platforms.

The resolution likewise provided that only “candidates or the authorized official of the political party or coalition, and party-list organizations and their official digital or social media campaign manager” are required to submit a notarized affidavit of undertaking stating that it shall not misuse social media, artificial intelligence, and internet technology for disinformation or misinformation.

The Comelec said only “concerned candidate, political party/coalition, party-list organization, and their respective social media campaign managers” shall be required to explain why a complaint for violation of the guidelines should not be filed against them.