Task force vs fake news to probe alleged pre-shading of ballots

FILE PHOTO: Comelec Commissioner George Garcia. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Task Force Against Fake News will investigate the alleged pre-shading of ballots overseas.

Commissioner George Garcia on Monday said the task force will meet within this day, April 11, to discuss the matter.

“Ngayong hapon, magmi-meet initially ang task force namin kontra fake news at ang isa sa kauna-unahang iimbestigahan namin kaagad na kaagad ay ‘yung kumakalat po sa social media na may pre-shading na raw ng balota sa Singapore,” he said in a press briefing.

(This afternoon, the task force against fake news will meet to probe the statement online that there is a pre-shading of ballots in Singapore.)

READ: Comelec creates anti-fake news task force

“Wala po kaming natanggap na report kahit sa ating post sa kahit na kaninong official natin du’n sa Singapore and therefore, fake news po ‘yun,” he added.

(We have not received a report in any post or official from Singapore, and therefore, that is fake news.)

Garcia noted there were also allegations of ballots pre-shading in Dubai.

READ: ’Pre-shaded’ ballots video may discredit automated elections – Lente

The poll body official said this information could be easily counter-checked and warned Filipinos not to believe such claims.

“Sa atin pong mga kababayan, ‘wag na ‘wag niyo pong papaniwalaan ang mga pre-shading na sinasabi. Napakadali pong malaman niyan. Madali pong makita. ‘Yung mismong nasa post, number one,” he said.

(To our fellow Filipinos, don’t believe the pre-shading claims. It is easy to know and see. First, from the post itself.)

“Number two, ‘yung lahat ng watchers and observers na present sa lahat ng polling places kung nasaan ‘yung ating pagboto, madali pong i-report ‘yun. Pero may narinig po ba tayo na may mga pre-shading of ballots?,” continued Garcia, adding that the same incident may occur in the country during the May 9 polls.

(Number two, it could be reported to watchers and observers present in polling places. But have we heard the news of pre-shading of ballots?)

Garcia then assured the public that the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation could trace the location of the person who disseminated the false news.

There are 1.69 million Filipinos across the globe who are registered to vote in the 2022 elections.

READ: 1.7 milion OFWs can vote starting April 10

Overseas or absentee voting will run from April 10 to May 9.

KGA