Garcia advises election candidates to personally visit voters

Bamban, Tarlac City Mayor Alice Guo and Comelec Chairperson George Garcia during the resumption of the Senate probe on the Pogo hub in Tarlac on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, in Pasay City. (File photo from NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Wednesday that prospective candidates for the 2025 National and Local Elections should show themselves to the people whose votes they are courting.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said personal appearance is important so that the public can see them as they are.

READ: Comelec: Preparation for 2025 midterm polls on track

“Kapag kampanya, ikaw mismo ang nakikita ng sambayanan,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(But during campaigns, you should be the one who the constituents should see.)

Garcia advised that Comelec is looking to prohibit using artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes for campaigns in the 2025 polls.

This consideration is meant to curb cases of misrepresentation among candidates, which can confuse voters.

“Kukumbinsihin ko po ang ating Commission En Banc na ipagbawal namin sa campaign ang paggamit ng deepfakes at AI sapagkat madami po ang nalilito,” Garcia said in an ambush interview.

(I will convince our Commission En Banc to prohibit deepfakes and AI, as many are confused.)

“Misrepresentation, madaming hindi makatotohanan na nangyayari kapag ginamit po ‘yan,” he noted.

(Misrepresentations, many false events happen if those are used.)

Numerous watchdogs have expressed their concern over the use of AI, including deepfakes, which can impersonate a person’s appearance and voice on video.

READ: ‘Deepfake’: PCO disowns clip of Marcos ‘attack order’ vs China

In April, a deepfake audio of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. surfaced, which Malacañang debunked shortly after.

The Philippine National Police also said that it has identified a “possible source” behind the deepfake.