Comelec eye new law limiting social media campaigning
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is crafting a new law that will limit campaigning on social media citing it will be the main platform in 2022 election for most of the candidates.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Sunday admitted that they can only monitor spending on advertisements and boosting social media post, but beyond that there is no identified limit to using these platforms.
‘Di katulad sa TV kung saan mayroon kang number of minutes na mayroong lampasan. Walang ganu’n sa social media,” said Jimenez in an interview.
“Kung may kailangang pag-amyenda, sa ganu’ng direksyon. Kailangan magkaroon ng bagong batas para magsabi kung ano na ang limitation sa paggamit ng social media,” he added.
Jimenez previously admitted that they monitor expenditures of candidates but they cannot do anything about those who will campaign early.
As for the issue of flying voters, Jimenez said they have biometrics and identification systems to screen voter registrants.
He, likewise, warned that flying voters may face complaints and a penalty of a six-year detention.
The campaign period for the national posts’ candidates is set from February 8 to May 7, 2022.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates in local elective posts is set from March 25 to May 7, 2022.
Eleksyon 2022 will be held on May 9, 2022.