Comelec says Makabayan, Colmenares disqualification ‘fake news’

The Commission on Elections on Sunday refuted reports that a resolution was released disqualifying the Makabayan bloc and Bayan Muna chairperson and senatorial bet Neri Colmenares from Eleksyon 2022.

In a press briefing, Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that he has coordinated on the false information with Commissioners Socorro Inting, Aimee Ferolino, and Aimee Torrefranca-Neri—the poll executives who were falsely reported to have signed the resolution.

“We are stating that this document circulating regarding sa ilang [some] partylists and a senatorial candidate is fake and spurious. ‘Wag po ninyo paniwalaan. May kaakibat pa ito na press release na nakapangalan naman po sa akin. Mali po ‘yung designation. I have not issued any document to this effect,” he said.

(Don’t believe it. This includes a press release with my name on it, with the incorrect designation. I have not issued any document to this effect.)

Laudiangco said that the Comelec is promoting full transparency, thus any resolutions, decisions, orders, or notices will be directly announced by them and will be posted on the Comelec website.

He also said that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by the Comelec, with the help of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and even the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Pagtutulong-tulungan po namin ito at makakaasa kayo [We will work on this together and you can rely] that the results of this investigation will be fully disclosed to the public,” he added.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia echoed this and urged the public not to believe in fake news.

“Doon sa kumakalat na may resolution daw disqualifying certain party-list organizations including a senatorial candidate, fake news po ‘yun. ‘Di po ‘yun totoo, walang klaseng ganong resolusyon. Hindi po naglalabas ng ganong whereas whereas resolution ang Commission, lalo na ang First Division or Second Division, even the en banc,” he said.

(The supposed resolution going around disqualifying certain party-list organizations including a senatorial candidate is fake news. That is not true. The Comelec is not releasing such resolutions, especially the First Division or Second Division, even the en banc.)

He also dismissed rumors circulating on social media that the canvassing of votes is already done, pointing out that the public needs to vote on May 9 first before they get the results. 

The Comelec officials also said the matter was already brought up to the Task Force Kontra Fake News, which was established to combat disinformation and counter any attempt to undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Garcia himself is the chair of this task force.

Makabayan condemns disinfo

Members of the Makabayan bloc in the House condemned the fake resolution, and attributed it to the National Task Force to End Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

“Halata na ang petisyon ay isang harassment case lamang at pakana ng mga gustong siraan ang Makabayan bloc,” it said.

(It is obvious that the petition is just a harassment case and a ploy by those who want to discredit the Makabayan bloc.)

“Tinitingnan namin itong sitwasyon kung saan ginamit lamang ang alyas na 'Angela Aguilar' ng security sector at NTF-ELCAC,” it added.

(We are looking at this situation where only the security sector and NTF-ELCAC use the alias 'Angela Aguilar.')

GMA News Online has reached out to NTF-ELCAC for comment.

The Makabayan bloc argued that this kind of disinformation seeks to “sabotage the conduct of election” and tarnish the integrity of the Comelec.

It also urged the poll body to investigate the matter.

“Inaasahan naming aksyunan ito kaagad ng Comelec dahil hindi lang ginamit sa malawakan at garapal na panloloko ang pangalan ng mga Komisyoner at ang official name at seal nito,” it added.

(We expect the Comelec to take immediate action because the name of the Commissioners and their official name and seal have been used in widespread and blatant fraud.)

The bloc further emphasized, “Iimbestigahan namin ang insidenteng ito at gagawa ng ligal na aksyon laban sa mga nasa likod ng desperado at maruming taktika at disimpormasyong ito.”

(We will investigate this incident and take legal action against those behind this desperate and dirty tactic and disinformation.) — BM, GMA News