MANILA, Philippines — GMA Network has forged an alliance with the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), INQUIRER.net, and other organizations for comprehensive coverage of the upcoming elections in 2022.
In addition to the two main news outlets of the Inquirer Group, the Eleksyon 2022 alliance, which was presented at an online forum on Friday, has enlisted 51 organizations.
Among the groups that would join the Eleksyon 2022 Partnerships Launch are the Commission on Elections (Comelec), telecoms giant PLDT and Smart Enterprise, electoral watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente).
According to Inquirer Group of Companies chief executive officer Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez, the partnership is important in providing credible and truthful information about the elections, especially when false information can spread quickly.
Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez
“This upcoming election is happening at a crucial period when everyone is experiencing hardships due to the pandemic coupled with the deliberate spread of fake news to promote or discredit candidates. Now more than ever, we have a tremendous responsibility to provide credible, truthful and comprehensive news and information,” Prieto-Romualdez said in a statement.
“Our partnership with GMA 7 and other organizations with like-minded advocacies is a testament to our yearning for good governance and an honest and peaceful election. We look forward to working with them in helping the public have more informed choices,” she added.
Paolo R. Prieto, chairperson and president of Inquirer Interactive Inc., which handles INQUIRER.net, said that the partnership between Inquirer, GMA, and the other organizations would help in ensuring credible coverage.
“The 2022 national elections loom as an important and crucial event for the country’s future. As a member of the Inquirer Group, Inquirer.net is called upon to assume a significant role to help ensure that this political exercise will not only be a big success but more so a credible one,” Prieto said.
“This partnership among Inquirer, GMA and other organizations to cover jointly next year’s polls serves as a big step in making this objective a reality. Inquirer.net is honored to be part of this noble endeavor and is grateful for the continued trust and support by GMA of what we have been doing as a credible online media company,” he added.
Aside from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and INQUIRER.net, other media companies that joined the partnership are the Catholic Media Network and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
GMA Network chairman and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon said that some of the partnerships they made for the 2022 national elections are not new. This is the first that groups are meeting on a virtual basis — due to the restrictions bought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While many of us have been constant partners in the coverage of past elections, this is the first time that we are not able to be physically present together to renew and seal our partnership. And while many things have changed over the past two years, our common and consistent desire for good governance remains,” Gozon said.
“The task in front of us, those who help voters make the right choice, is daunting. But our duty to help empower voters and uphold the truth is worth every effort. As individual institutions and organizations, we each carry a tremendous responsibility. But together, we can and we will do what it takes—promote honesty, integrity, and truth in the coming elections,” he added.
Other groups and individuals that are joining the Eleksyon 2022 partnership are the following:
Regional Emergency Assistance Communications Team Philippines (REACT)
University of the Philippines
University of Santo Tomas Rector
Polytechnic University of The Philippines
De La Salle University
Ateneo School of Government
AMA Education System
University of Northern Philippines
University of Luzon
Ateneo De Naga University
University of Nueva Caceres
University of San Carlos
Silliman University
Central Philippine University
University of Saint La Salle Bacolod
Xavier University – Ateneo De Cagayan
Central Mindanao University
Holy Cross of Davao College
Notre Dame of Dadiangas University
Western Mindanao State University
member schools of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Philippine Bar Association
Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands
Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph)
TikTok Public Policy Head Kristoffer M. Rada
Twitter News Partnerships Head Paul Armstrong
YouTube