Silhouettes of laptop and mobile device users are seen next to a screen projection of the YouTube logo in this picture illustration taken March 28, 2018. (Reuters file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — A total of 393 YouTube channels of political candidates for the May 9 national and local elections have already been verified, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.
According to the Comelec, all official candidates, party-list groups and political parties “who have submitted their YouTube channel” to the poll body now have a verified badge.
Under Comelec Resolution No. 10730, as amended by Resolution No. 10748, websites and other social media platforms used for the endorsement or candidacy of all registered political parties and candidates must be registered with the agency.
“We have worked with YouTube to verify these channels, regardless of the number of subscribers, and we will continue to work in close coordination as we strive to push out information that will be helpful to the voters through these reliable channels,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.
He said that the verification of the accounts “is a step towards ensuring the availability of trusted and credible sources of information for the public—a vital part of the fight against disinformation.”
“And that is happening because the COMELEC steadfastly pursued its policies, despite knee-jerk opposition,” he added.