Comelec: 393 YouTube channels of Eleksyon 2022 bets already verified

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday said at least 393 YouTube channels owned by Eleksyon 2022 candidates have already been verified.

The poll body disclosed the data three days into the campaign period for the May 9 national and local elections.

"Verification of accounts is a step towards ensuring the availability of trusted and credible sources of information for the public – a vital part of the fight against disinformation. And that is happening because the Comelec steadfastly pursued its policies, despite knee-jerk opposition," Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

According to the Comelec, official candidates at the national and local level, as well as party-list groups and political parties, who have submitted their YouTube channels to the poll body now have a verified badge on their accounts.

"We have worked with YouTube to verify these channels, regardless of the number of subscribers, and we will continue to work in close coordination as we strive to push out information that will be helpful to the voters through these reliable channels," Jimenez said.

The Comelec said the verification of the candidates’ accounts also came in time for the start of the Campaign S.A.F.E Comelec e-Rally Channel on Facebook, which grants online airtime to candidates for president, vice president, senator and party-list groups ranging from three to 10 minutes.

In December, Jimenez disclosed the poll body’s partnership with YouTube, in a bid to combat misinformation ahead of the elections. — VBL, GMA News