Comelec eyes allowing only current photos on candidates' campaign materials

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<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3055085"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script><p>MANILA — The Commission on Elections is considering requiring candidates in the 2025 elections to use only current photos in their campaign materials, saying this is part of the campaign to curb misrepresentation during polls.</p><p>Speaking to Teleradyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the commission may require candidates to submit up to 10 — commissioners will still discuss the exact number — photos that were taken in the past six months for their campaign streamers, posters and social media posts.</p><p>Garcia said that limiting the photos used in campaigns to current ones will help new voters who may not be familiar with the candidates, especially if they tend to use pictures that are decades old.</p><p>“Hindi po ba mas maganda… pictures na nga lang eh, hindi pa tayo magkatotoo,” he said. “At least maipakita na ikaw ito ngayon, alam ng mga botante ang itsura ng tao na ito.”</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/5/29/comelec-eyes-ban-on-use-of-ai-deepfake-technology-for-2025-polls-1541">READ: Comelec chief eyes ban on use of AI, deepfakes in 2025 polls</a></div><p>(Isn’t better to be truthful even in campaign pictures? At least we can show that this is you and voters will know what a candidate really looks like)</p><p>Garcia said that if the Comelec approves the policy, candidates could be penalized for using photos other than those they submitted. He said rival candidates would likely watch each other for use of the “unofficial” photos, which could be considered illegal campaign materials.</p><p>He said that slight enhancements to photos — to remove moles and wrinkles, for example — would be allowed.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/21/23/are-ai-enhanced-photos-dishonest-senator-seeks-comelec-rules">READ: Are AI-enhanced photos dishonest? Senator seeks Comelec rules</a></div><p>“Pero yung mukha namang hindi magkatulad ang kanilang itsura at larawan, ay para sa amin misrepresentation ‘yun,” he added.</p><p>(But if your face and your photo are too different from each other, that, to us, is misrepresentation.)</p><p>Garcia said the proposal is part of a larger campaign against AI and ‘deepfakes’ that could influence operations through disinformation.</p><p>“Masyado na marami ngayon ang misrepresentation, misinformation,” he said.</p><p>(There is too much misrepresentation and misinformation as it is.)</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/6/comelec-taps-committee-to-study-proposed-ai-deepfake-use-in-2025-elections-2150" id="isPasted">RELATED: Comelec taps committee to study proposed AI, ‘deepfake’ use in next year’s elections</a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kPR4ufg1_2s?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the commission may require candidates to submit photos that were taken in the past six months for use on campaign streamers, posters and social media posts.</p>

Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia said the commission may require candidates to submit photos that were taken in the past six months for use on campaign streamers, posters and social media posts.

Comelec eyes allowing only current photos on candidates' campaign materials | ABS-CBN

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Comelec eyes allowing only current photos on candidates' campaign materials

Comelec eyes allowing only current photos on candidates' campaign materials

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 10, 2024 08:50 AM PHT

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Commission on Elections

Comelec

George Garcia

2025 elections

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