Philippine Economic Commission Chairman George Irwin Garcia (Photo: Yancy Lim via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)
Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency
Manila The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will release guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to promote candidates in the May 2025 national and local elections (NLEs), an elections official said Thursday.
Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia made the remarks as commission officials hosted a stakeholders forum on AI to gather input and opinions on the use of the new technology during election campaigns.
“Gusto, namin, malamang, hindi, naman, kabuang, AI ang masama, marami ding part, AI nanapa kaganda po. Picture AI yun when you enhance yourself. Ang AI nakakatulong para makakalap information, napadalang naman na nagamit sya sa kasamaan (You want to know that not all AI is bad, many parts of AI are very good. When you enhance yourself in a picture, that's AI. AI is useful for gathering information, but it is used for evil,” he said on the sidelines of a forum at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
“Yang ng ga po ang gusto nating alamin ano yung part ay na ginagamit sa haralan na dapat na illegalet, na dapat iprohibit kung melon man at kung maprohibit, mare regulate may violate ba tayong batas o karapatan. So, we want to know (That's what we want to know, what part of AI is being used in elections, should it be regulated, if it is prohibited, will it be prohibited, if it is prohibited, will it be regulated, does it violate any law or rights, so let's consider that),” he added.
He said the main aim of the forum was to proactively embrace new technologies.
Garcia said the Comelec hopes to issue the guidelines in the second week of August.
Social Media Influencers
He said the poll body would also monitor the participation of social media heavyweights during the election campaign.
Garcia said he also wants to regulate the trade of online influencers, particularly those who support people running for public office or political parties.
“What about social media influencers and content creators that candidates hire? That's something I'd like to see some regulation from the commission,” he added.
The poll chief said they would also monitor expenses incurred by social media heavyweights employed by candidates.
He said he will cooperate with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in verifying his income.
“Social media influencers are being paid huge amounts of money during elections and they're not being taxed. They should be taxed,” Garcia added.
He said it's similar to talent appearing in commercials or making guest appearances for nominees.
“If you hire a celebrity, a famous singer or a popular entertainer during your election campaign, you must report that payment to us,” he said.
Citizen's Arms
Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) have been accredited as Comelec civic organizations for the 2025 elections.
The Electoral Commission's Grand Bench, in a resolution, granted the PPCRV and NAMFREL “continued accreditation” to function as national organs of the electoral body in all electoral activities, including elections held at the national level.
“The committee resolves, after due deliberation, to approve the continued recognition of the Diocesan Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and the National Campaign for Free Elections as the people's weapon in any election, referendum, recall or referendum conducted by the Electoral Commission,” the statement said.
At the same time, the committee asked the two election monitoring organizations to submit several requirements, including a complete list of officials, state, city and metropolitan coordinators or their equivalents.
It is also tasked with submitting a comprehensive or detailed action plan and programme for the 2025 national and local elections and beyond, and reporting on its findings and recommendations after each election.
“Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of said continued accreditation,” the Comelec warned.
Garcia last month recommended the continued accreditation of both organizations, citing the “countless elections and democratic processes” the Electoral Commission has conducted in the past as a “credible source” of observations and recommendations regarding the effective exercise of the right to vote.
