Rappler hits Calida, defends MOA with Comelec

Solicitor General Jose Calida. INQUIRER file photo /JOAN BONDOC

MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Jose Calida was “hallucinating” when he claimed that the agreement on raising voter awareness between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Rappler was tantamount to election fraud, the news website said on Monday.

In a statement, Rappler said that the memorandum of agreement (MOA) was “simply about helping the poll body disseminate truthful information to voters and ensure transparent elections.”

Rappler chief executive office Maria Ressa said during the signing of the MOA on Feb. 24 that her news outlet and Comelec would collaborate on a fact-checking initiative and the production of election content to raise voter awareness in the weeks leading to the May 9 elections.

Calida and the camp of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr., however, said that the project was in violation of the Constitution and other election-related laws.

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