Poll watchdog flags nearly 100 campaign violations | ABS-CBN
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Poll watchdog flags nearly 100 campaign violations
Poll watchdog flags nearly 100 campaign violations
MANILA — An election watchdog said it has received nearly a hundred reports of election violations just a month into the campaign period for senatorial candidates and for party-list groups.
MANILA — An election watchdog said it has received nearly a hundred reports of election violations just a month into the campaign period for senatorial candidates and for party-list groups.
In its initial report dated March 14, Kontra Daya and Vote Report PH said most of the reported violations involved red-tagging — the practice of accusing groups and individuals of participating in the communist armed struggle — and "illegal campaigning."
In its initial report dated March 14, Kontra Daya and Vote Report PH said most of the reported violations involved red-tagging — the practice of accusing groups and individuals of participating in the communist armed struggle — and "illegal campaigning."
According to the report, out of a total of 94 reports, red-tagging topped the list at 63.8 percent, while illegal campaigning was second at 24.5 percent.
According to the report, out of a total of 94 reports, red-tagging topped the list at 63.8 percent, while illegal campaigning was second at 24.5 percent.
"Some reports of red-tagging have been observed to be the results of the use of deepfakes to spread disinformation usual victims of red-tagging are progressive senatorial and/or partylist candidates," the initial report stated.
"Some reports of red-tagging have been observed to be the results of the use of deepfakes to spread disinformation usual victims of red-tagging are progressive senatorial and/or partylist candidates," the initial report stated.
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An example in the report were screenshots of a Facebook page allegedly posing as the Makabayan coalition, with supposed deepfake videos used "to propagate fake news."
An example in the report were screenshots of a Facebook page allegedly posing as the Makabayan coalition, with supposed deepfake videos used "to propagate fake news."
"Most violations of illegal campaigning observed [were] from candidates leading formal and informal surveys," it added.
"Most violations of illegal campaigning observed [were] from candidates leading formal and informal surveys," it added.
The report also included sample photos of tarpaulins of candidates being posted on trees, as well as posters with messages against progressive and activist groups.
The report also included sample photos of tarpaulins of candidates being posted on trees, as well as posters with messages against progressive and activist groups.
Rounding off the top five are vote buying (4.3 percent), illegal use of public resources (3.2 percent) and "other violations" (4.2 percent).
Rounding off the top five are vote buying (4.3 percent), illegal use of public resources (3.2 percent) and "other violations" (4.2 percent).
Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao called on the Commission on Elections to "take these violations seriously" and to penalize violators.
Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao called on the Commission on Elections to "take these violations seriously" and to penalize violators.
"Otherwise, the violations will just pile up and get worse," he said in a statement on Saturday.
"Otherwise, the violations will just pile up and get worse," he said in a statement on Saturday.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will study the report and promised that the poll body will go after candidates who violate election laws and regulations.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will study the report and promised that the poll body will go after candidates who violate election laws and regulations.
"We are one with them on the fight against discriminatory acts and utterance committed during the election period and will hold responsible violators of campaign rules," he said in a text message on Sunday.
"We are one with them on the fight against discriminatory acts and utterance committed during the election period and will hold responsible violators of campaign rules," he said in a text message on Sunday.
Last month, the poll body began its crackdown on illegal campaign materials, coinciding with the official start of the campaign period for national bets.
Last month, the poll body began its crackdown on illegal campaign materials, coinciding with the official start of the campaign period for national bets.
It will said it will keep confiscated materials and use them as evidence in filing appropriate charges.
It will said it will keep confiscated materials and use them as evidence in filing appropriate charges.
Comelec reminded candidates that the allowed sizes for posters is 2x3 feet. These must only be placed in common poster areas, mostly in public areas.
Comelec reminded candidates that the allowed sizes for posters is 2x3 feet. These must only be placed in common poster areas, mostly in public areas.
The poll body cannot remove campaign materials posted on private property, following a Supreme Court ruling.
The poll body cannot remove campaign materials posted on private property, following a Supreme Court ruling.
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