MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) cautioned individuals spreading malicious rumors against the election body that they will be tracked down by law enforcement authorities.
“We are here to set that record straight and to warn the public not to fall for these kinds of allegations and malicious rumors,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
“Also here to warn people behind that we will be cooperating with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to track down the persons or parties responsible for creating and spreading these rumors,” he added.
Some of the rumors circulating include the alleged offer by some commissioners to candidates that they will fix the election results in exchange for financial considerations.
Aside from this, there were also allegations of partisanship or expressions of support by a commissioner for a particular candidate.
According to Jimenez, undermining public’s trust and confidence in the elections is an election offense and is punishable by law.
“That will be dealt with accordingly not just the rumor, but the persons and the parties who are actively spreading these rumors,” he said.
“Undermining confidence in the electoral system is an election offense which is punishable of imprisonment of up to six years, and if they are connected to a political figure or maybe they have plans of running office at some point, or their activities are traceable to any politician, then very relevant yung penalty na disqualification,” he added.
The official campaign period for the local elections will start on March 29, while election day is set on May 13, 2019. / gsg