Comelec-Rappler deal to boost voter engagement, fight disinformation deferred

Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday suspended the implementation of its agreement with news website Rappler, following the objections of the Office of the Solicitor General, as well as some candidates and partisan groups.

In a memorandum, Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting said the poll body is deferring the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Rappler “until the issues are settled.”

“Given the allegations against Rappler and the subsequent filing of the Petition with the Supreme Court, it is judicious for the Commission to hold in abeyance the implementation of the provisions of the MOA until the issues are settled and/or decision of the court is rendered,” the March 8 memo reads.

“All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including the coordination between the Commission and Rappler on the matters of the MOA,” it also says.

Comelec and Rappler have entered into a partnership to bolster voter engagement and fight disinformation in the May 9 polls.

In an unprecedented move, however, the Office of the Solicitor General questioned the Comelec-Rappler deal and asked the Supreme Court to cancel the agreement.

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