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Comelec eyes ban on AI, deepfakes
By J.Lo
"I will convince our commission en banc to prohibit during campaign period use of AI and deepfakes, because many are confused and misrepresented, and untruths abound when these are used," Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia is eyeing to ban use of artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes during campaign for May 2025 midterm elections.
Garcia said poll body would tackle issue next week.
"We know modern technology…why don't we use it…however, when campaigning, you should be one that is seen by the people," he added.
Use of AI can be considered threat to democracy and proper campaigning by candidates, according to the Comelec chief.
In letter sent to the Comelec en banc, Garcia emphasized there is growing concern on threat of AI and deepfakes that could be used to sow deceit and misinformation among voters.
He noted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself, as well as other heads of states, have become victims of deepfake videos.
Deepfakes are synthetic media that have been digitally manipulated to replace person's likeness.
"Abuse of AI technology and deepfake videos undermine integrity of elections and credibility of public officials, candidates and election management authorities," Garcia said.
He added deepfakes defeat purpose of campaigning that is meant to truthfully inform voting public about elections and candidates.
Garcia stressed his letter to poll body was general request concerning possible ban on use of AI and deepfakes, but he said commission gets feedback from its law department and its education and information department on what aspects of AI should be restricted during campaign.
What is important at this time, he explained, is that Comelec is taking measures to control wrongdoings during elections.
After banning substitution of candidates in national and local elections, Comelec intends to impose similar prohibition on party-list nominees who will participate in next year's elections.
Garcia said poll body intends to require party-list groups to submit 10 nominees instead of previous requirement of five.
He added that Comelec would impose requirement to prevent instances of substitution long after party-list elections.
"It's impossible that five original nominees will all resign… seems to have semblance that is unrealistic, if there are 10 nominees at onset and five will withdraw, there will be five remaining; if seven will withdraw, there will be three remaining," he pointed out.
For the Comelec chief, highly unlikely for all 10 nominees to withdraw which will prompt party-list group to submit list of substitute nominees.
"There ought to be no substitution when we talk about party-list to be fair to all, that's why we will require to submit 10 nominees so that there will always remain," he added.
At this time, Comelec is deliberating on list of party-list groups that will be allowed to participate in next year's elections, according to Garcia.
Meanwhile, number of aspiring new voters seeking to vote in next year's elections has reached over 3.2 million, Comelec reported.
Data showed since resumption of voter registration last Feb. 12, total of 3,210,523 aspiring voters have submitted their applications for registration.
Biggest number of applicants came from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) with 568,411, followed by National Capital Region with 463,364.
Total of 5,443 aspiring voters filed their applications before Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.
Central Luzon ranked third with 372,090 applicants, followed by Central Visayas with 218,329 and Davao Region with 184,141.
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) recorded lowest number of applicants with 41,607, followed by Mimaropa (Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) with 80,621 and Caraga with 81,789.
Of total number of applicants, 1,654,842 are females while 1,555,681 are males.
Garcia said Comelec had already exceeded its target of 3 million new voters.
Poll body, will continue to encourage all eligible voters to register until last day of registration on Sept. 30.
In another development, Comelec has awarded contract for procurement of online voting and counting system (OVCS) to be used in overseas voting for next year's polls.
After thorough deliberation, Comelec en banc ordered issuance of notice of award to joint venture SMS Global Technologies and Sequent Tech Inc., which has offered lowest calculated bid (LCB) of P112 million.
"After careful review and consideration of foregoing and noting that in this procurement project, where approved budget for contract is P465,810,926.56, bid of LCB joint venture SMS Global Technologies and Sequent Tech in the amount of P112,000,000 will result in a P353,810,926.57 total savings, if awarded, is advantageous to the government," poll body said in resolution approved.
Comelec approved resolution after its special bids and awards committee (SBAC) junked motion for reconsideration filed by joint venture of Voatz Inc.-ePLDT Inc. and EBizolution Inc. for lack of merit.
SBAC found no reason to reverse decision declaring joint venture led by SMS Global as bidder with lowest calculated and responsive bid.
Joint venture of Voatz Inc.-ePLDT Inc. and EBizolution Inc. sought disqualification of winning bidder for allegedly not possessing qualification required under bid.
With resolution, Garcia said poll body could proceed with preparations for next year's elections.
He added that after signing of t= contract, Comelec would issue notice to proceed and then customization of automated counting machines (ACMs) could continue.
OVCS will be used by Filipinos who will cast their votes abroad.
Comelec released last night official calendar of activities for next year's midterm elections.
Based on calendar, election period will begin on Jan 12, 2025 and end on June 11, 2025.
Gun ban shall be in effect during five-month period.
From Oct. 1 to 8, those running for polls may file their certificates of candidacy while party-list groups will file their certificates of nomination and acceptance.
Campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from Feb. 11, 2025 to May 10, 2025.
Candidates for House of Representatives, parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal offices will allowed to campaign from March 28, 2025 to May 10, 2025.
Overseas voting will be from April 13, 2025 to May 12, 2025 while voting for local absentee voters is from April 28 to 30, 2025.
Liquor consumption and campaigning shall be prohibited from eve of elections until election day.
Former Caloocan representative Edgar Erice dared Comelec to demonstrate and prove to Supreme Court and legislators that ACMs manufactured by joint venture led by Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. will work.
" Comelec must prove to Supreme Court its contract with Miru is not illegal," Erice said during Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.
"But I can also prove that Comelec-Miru deal is not only illegal, but also dangerous," he added.
Former lawmaker maintained hybrid election system by Miru is illegal and unnecessary to be rolled out for next year's elections.
He insisted Comelec could still scrap deal with Miru and just use old ACMs.
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