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Halalan 2022 bets scramble to get pages verified; lawyer calls rule 'madness'

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Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Eric Gaillard, Reuters/file" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/reuters/11/10/20211110usa-social-media-congress.jpg"/><figcaption>Eric Gaillard, Reuters/file</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — Halalan 2022 candidates are scrambling to obtain the coveted “blue badge” on their social media pages in a bid to comply with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) new rule limiting political advertisements to “verified” accounts. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/11/21/comelec-to-verify-youtube-accounts-of-halalan2022-bets">Comelec to work with YouTube to verify official accounts of #Halalan2022 candidates</a></li></ul><p>Over the weekend, aspirants Kiko Pangilinan, Chel Diokno, and Neri Colmenares personally urged their supporters to subscribe to their respective YouTube channels in order for them to qualify for a blue badge. </p><p>Under YouTube’s rules, only channels with at least 100,000 subscribers can apply for verification.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/15/21/social-media-regulation-threatens-rights-un-warns">Social media regulation threatens rights, UN warns</a></li></ul><p>“I need your help. I&#x27;m told I need 100,000 subscribers to have my YouTube channel verified so I can post my ads and campaign videos,&quot; said Colmenares, who is gunning for a Senate seat.</p><p>&quot;Ayon sa bagong rules para sa digital campaigns sa #Halalan2022, kailangan verified raw ang account natin sa YouTube… Samahan niyo ako sa ating biyahe sa YouTube,” vice presidential aspirant Pangilinan said in a tweet. </p><p>&quot;Hindi pa verified ang ating YouTube channel. Kinakailangang umabot sa 100,000 subscribers para ma-verify. Kaya, I am asking for your help to reach that goal,” Senatorial bet Diokno said.</p><p>Meanwhile, volunteers of presidential aspirant Leni Robredo appealed on her behalf.</p><div><strong>COMELEC&#x27;S NEW RULE &#x27;MADNESS&#x27;</strong></div><p>On Nov. 17, Comelec en banc passed resolution 10730, which sets the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9006 or Fair ElectionsAct.</p><p>The IRR laid out rules on election propaganda via internet, mobile platforms, and social media.</p><p>&quot;Each...candidate shall register with the Education and Information Department of the Comelec the website name and web address of all platform-verified official accounts, websites, blogs and/or other social media pages of... candidate,&quot; it said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/01/21/filipinos-lead-the-world-in-time-spent-on-social-media-internet">Filipinos lead the world in time spent on social media, internet</a></li></ul><p>It added that only platform-verified accounts “may run electoral ads, and boost or promote electoral posts.&quot;</p><p>In a series of tweets, election lawyer Emil Marañon called the rule &quot;unconstitutional.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I still think that this is unconstitutional... I just hope Comelec wakes up from this madness and reconsider this very arbitrary policy,&quot; he said. </p><p>Meanwhile, another election lawyer and Ateneo School of Law faculty member Alberto Agra said Comelec&#x27;s new rules on social media might be considered &quot;legislating&quot; since these platforms are not covered in the Fair Election Act. </p><p>&quot;Regulating an untouched platform may be considered by some as legislating, not just rule-making. Some may also argue that since this a material change from previous resolutions, Comelec should have conducted a public hearing before it issued Resolution No. 10730, especially is a violation of this rule is considered an election offense,&quot; Agra told ABS-CBN News. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/10/21/nobel-laureate-maria-ressa-calls-for-social-media-reforms">Nobel laureate Maria Ressa calls for social media reforms</a></li></ul><div><strong>&#x27;ACCOUNTABILITY&#x27;</strong></div><p>In a press briefing Monday, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez defended the verification requirement, saying it was meant to establish accountability. </p><p>He added that Comelec is in touch with social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to facilitate the verification of Halalan 2022 candidates&#x27; accounts. </p><p>Asked if these platforms are willing to verify the pages of thousands of Halalan 2022 candidates, Jimenez said &quot;yes,&quot; without elaborating.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/13/21/can-social-media-win-elections-analyst-says-digital-campaigns-a-game-changer">Can social media win elections? Analyst says digital campaigns a ‘game changer’</a></li></ul><p>Jimenez said despite criticisms, Comelec will not amend the resolution. </p><p>RELATED VIDEO</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DDAEv6PRm8k?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez defended the verification requirement, saying it was meant to establish accountability. 

Halalan 2022 bets scramble to get pages verified; lawyer calls rule 'madness'

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Halalan 2022 bets scramble to get pages verified; lawyer calls rule 'madness'

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 13, 2021 01:54 PM PHT

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Commission on Elections

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