Comelec to release guidelines vs AI, deepfakes next week

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to release next week the guidelines regulating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and prohibiting deepfakes in the 2025 national and local elections (NLE).

"Ngayong darating na linggo ilalabas na namin ang guidelines kung paano ire-regulate, kung mare-regulate ba ng social media, paano ipo-prohibit o ire-regulate ang AI at ang paggamit ng deepfakes sa kampanya at paano natin ito malulutasan at mabibigyan ng equal opportunity ang lahat ng kandidato," said Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia in an interview at the sidelines of the launch of GMA Integrated News' Panata Kontra Fake News. 

(This coming week, we will release the guidelines on how to regulate social media, whether it can be regulated, how to prohibit or regulate the use of AI and deep fakes in campaigns, and how we can resolve this to give all candidates an equal opportunity.)

The rules on the use of the new technology was based on the results of discussions in a stakeholders’ forum and consultation dialogue the Comelec conducted at the University of the Philippines in July. 

"Isa lang naman ang purpose ng Comelec, hindi yung gipitin 'yung mayayamang kandidato o kaya naman paboran ang mahihirap na kandidato," said Garcia. 

"Ang gusto natin pantay-pantay na treatment kasi hindi naman lahat may kakayanan para makapangampanya. Equal opportunity, 'yan ang commitment at ipapangako ng Comelec."

(The sole purpose of the Comelec is not to restrict wealthy candidates or favor poor ones. What we want is equal treatment because not everyone has the capacity to campaign. Equal opportunity is the commitment and promise of the Comelec.)

Several experts, including award-winning data scientist and technologist Dominic "Doc" Ligot, earlier warned that AI and deepfakes would play a bigger role on the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections. 

In anticipation for the spread of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation related to it, the  Comelec proposed to the en banc to prohibit candidates from using AI technology and deepfakes in their electoral campaigns in June. 

In July, the Comelec announced it would come up with a set of guidelines for the use of AI in the May 2025 elections. 

A task force tasked to protect the upcoming elections against AI-driven misinformation and disinformation through the monitoring, and regulating of published content on quad-media such as TV, radio, print, and online was launched last month.

"Handa kaming sa Korte Suprema ang isyu na 'yan. Sadya pong napakaliit, napakanipis ng boundary between ano 'yung Constitutional at ano ang maaaring violation ng ating Saligang Batas lalo na pag ang pagu-usapan ay ang isyu ng freedom of expression, at freedom of the press... Kaya lamang hindi lahat ng karapatan ay absolute,” said Garcia. 

(We are ready if this issue reaches the Supreme Court. The boundary is very thin, very narrow, between what is constitutional and what violates our Constitution, especially when the topic is freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Not all rights are absolute.)

Panata Kontra Fake News

Bautista has hailed the launch of GMA Integrated News’ Panata Kontra Fake News, saying the program is a “great help” in maintaining the integrity of the 2025 May polls. 

"Sobrang laking tulong sapagkat pag kampanya, 'pag election, dapat 'yung makatotohanan lang...Kasi kapag pumasok ang fake na kandidato, fake na gastos, fake na pangako, mage-elect tayo ng mga fake na leader ng ating bansa,” said Garcia. 

(It's a huge help because during campaigns, during elections, we should only focus on the truth... Because when fake candidates enter the scene, with their fake expenses, fake promises, we'll end up electing fake leaders for our country.)

"Ito napakagandang simula. Napag-isa ng GMA Network sa pangunguna ni Chairman Gozon 'yug sambayanan sa pamamagitan ng mga media entities na nandito, unibersidad. Syempre, nandito ang comelec at nagpapasalamat tayo dahil ito ay bihirang pagkakataon. Di lagi nagkakaron ng ganitong pagkakataon,” he said. 

(This is a great start. The GMA Network, led by Chairman Gozon, has brought the nation together through the various media entities present here, including the university. Of course, the Comelec is also here, and we're grateful for this rare opportunity. It's not often that we have a chance like this.)

During the launch of Panata Kontra Fake News, major Philippine media organizations, social media platforms, and academic institutions convene for a covenant signing to pledge and guarantee their commitment to fighting fake news and disinformation. —KBK, GMA Integrated News