MANILA, Philippine – Six days before the May 13 midterm elections, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official appealed to voters not to share unverified reports that may undermine people’s trust in the electoral exercise.
In a Facebook post, Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito Guia on Tuesday said that the upcoming elections “is for the Filipino people more than it is for whoever candidate/s” they so passionately support.
“So please restrain yourself from spreading or sharing posts or statements that will erode people’s trust in the election and the institutions involved. Should you find sufficient basis to report a verified anomaly, avail of the provided mechanisms,” Guia said.
The Comelec official also asked supporters of candidates to “just observe the process as your candidates’ watchers.”
“Participate. Volunteer for the various election monitoring efforts by different independent groups,” Guia said.
“We only have one country. We only have one Philippines. Let us all be responsible Filipinos. Itawid natin ang eleksyon ng samasama at maayos. Hindi na ito para sa mga kandidato lamang. Para sa bayan na ito.”
The Comelec earlier said it may hold liable individuals who engage in “dishonorable acts of dishonesty” that erode public trust in the mechanisms and processes of democratic elections. /gsg
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