THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the 393 YouTube channels of candidates in the May 2022 national and local elections have already been verified as the campaign period started this week.
In a statement, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the verification of accounts is a step towards ensuring the availability of trusted and credible sources of information for the public, which is a vital part of the fight against disinformation. “That is happening because the Comelec steadfastly pursued its policies, despite knee-jerk opposition.”
This also means that all official candidates for national and local positions, party-list groups and political parties who have submitted their YouTube channel to the Comelec now have a verified badge.
Under Resolution No. 10730, as amended by Resolution No. 10748, websites and other social media platforms used for the endorsement or candidacy of all registered political parties/coalitions and bona fide candidates must be registered with the Comelec.
The verification came just in time for the kickoff of the e-Rally live streaming on February 8, 2022, which the Comelec conducts every night for candidates of all national elective posts via the Campaign S • A • F • E • COMELEC e-Rally Channel on Facebook and the Commission’s official YouTube account.
The Comelec has provided all presidential, vice-presidential and senatorial candidates, and party-list groups and political parties a platform for the free live streaming of their e-rallies, according to a schedule of e-rally time slots per night.
“We have worked with YouTube to verify these channels, regardless of the number of subscribers, and we will continue to work in close coordination as we strive to push out information that will be helpful to the voters through these reliable channels,” Jimenez added.