According to a recent announcement by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), private individuals are no longer need to register any online platforms they use for campaigning during the May 2025 elections, including blogs, webpages, and social media accounts.
A prior rule that required private individuals to register platforms meant for the promotion or opposition of candidates was amended by Comelec’s Resolution No. 11064-A, which was issued on November 13 but was only made public yesterday. The goal of this modification is to protect the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution.
The updated rule now requires only candidates, their authorized representatives, and representatives of registered political parties, coalitions, and party-list organizations to register official campaign-related digital platforms, such as social media accounts, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and websites.
Comelec emphasized the importance of freedom of expression, describing it as “a cornerstone of democracy” that fosters open dialogue and protects individuals’ rights to voice their opinions on various issues, including politics and elections.
To further ensure responsible use of digital platforms, the resolution requires candidates and their official representatives to submit a notarized affidavit of undertaking. This document affirms their commitment to avoiding the misuse of social media, artificial intelligence, and other online technologies for spreading disinformation or misinformation.
