Digital campaigning in Eleksyon 2025: Limitations, penalties, what you need to know

With digital campaigns in full swing for the upcoming 2025 national and local midterm elections, it is more important than ever to identify and even report suspicious online tactics.

Misinformation and disinformation remain as threats to the electoral process, and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is cracking down on prohibited digital campaign activities to protect the integrity of votes.

The GMA Integrated News Social Media Team, in partnership with GMA Integrated News Research and PressOne.PH, has come out with Eleksyonaryo: The Dapat Totoo Digital Exclusives to pre-bunk misinformation and educate Filipino voters online.

Here's the Eleksyonaryo guide on spotting prohibited digital campaigns.

Misinformation vs. Disinformation: What's the difference?

Misinformation — False or inaccurate information that spreads in political campaigns, whether or not there is intent to mislead.

Disinformation – Manipulated or misleading information taken out of context and deliberately used to deceive, harm, or sway public opinion in a political campaign.

COMELEC has listed several online campaign tactics that violate election rules. If candidates or supporters are caught resorting to these, they may face serious legal consequences.

Here's what to watch out for:

• Fake News Factories – Spreading false information to promote or attack a candidate, party, or party-list group.
• Election Sabotage – Spreading lies about the Philippine election system, COMELEC, or the electoral process to sow doubt and confusion.
• Bot Armies and Fake Accounts – Using fake profiles, bots, or organized groups of fake users to boost online engagement artificially.
• Coordinated Deception – Manipulating online discussions through inauthentic activities, including mass sharing by hyperactive users.
• Deepfakes and Cheapfakes – Using AI-generated or altered media to create misleading images, videos, or audio recordings of candidates.
• Unregistered or Fake Social Media Accounts – Campaigning through accounts that do not comply with Comelec's transparency rules.
• AI-Generated Content Without Disclosure – Using artificial intelligence to create campaign materials without following the transparency and disclosure requirements in COMELEC Resolution 11064.

If a candidate or campaign is suspected of violating these rules, Comelec follows a strict process to investigate and take action:

• Evidence Collection – Reports, complaints, and online detections are recorded and preserved.
• Issuance of a Show Cause Order – Suspected offenders, including candidates and campaign managers, must explain their actions.
• Filing of an Election Offense Case – Comelec's Law Department can initiate legal proceedings.
• Content Removal Requests – Misleading content may be reported for takedown by tech platforms or internet service providers.
• Coordination with Authorities – Comelec may work with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Cybercrime Investigation and CICC, NBI Cybercrime Division, MTRCB, and other government agencies for further action.
• Fact-Checking and Public Warnings – Fake news about the election system, COMELEC, or the voting process will be debunked through official channels.

Penalties

If found guilty of an election offense under Comelec Resolution 11064, violators face severe penalties, including:

• Jail Time – At least one year and up to six years (no probation allowed).
• Disqualification – Offenders will be banned from holding public office and stripped of their voting rights.
• Deportation – Foreigners who violate the rules will be deported after serving their sentence.
• Fines – Political parties can be fined at least PHP 10,000.

Digital campaigning has been changing the way elections are fought. Every Filipino should be critical of efforts to court voters online, especially if the intent is to mislead ang wrongfully advance a candidate's political agenda. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.