The Philippines: Comelec halts fact-checking deal with Rappler a day after defending it

  • Just a day after the acting elections chief said it will defend the agreement signed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with Rappler, the poll body succumbed to pressure from Solicitor General Jose Calida, and issued a hold order against the partnership.
  • In a memorandum signed by acting Comelec Chairperson Socorro Inting on 8 Mar 22, the Comelec said it is judicious for the poll body “to hold in abeyance the implementation of the provisions of the MOA until the issues are settled and/or decision of the court is rendered.”
  • “All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including coordination between the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA,” the memorandum said.
  • In response, Rappler said that the unilateral decision of Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting to hold the implementation of our memorandum of agreement is regrettable.
  • The Comelec’s own lawyers studied the contract with Rappler and found no legal obstacles. It was signed by both parties in good faith on 24 Feb 22, with the intent of ensuring transparent and credible elections.
  • It is unfortunate that Commissioner Inting, who signed off on this agreement as acting chairman less than two weeks ago, and who declared just a day ago that the commission would await the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter, has gone ahead and unilaterally given instructions to set our agreement aside.
  • It is equally lamentable that Rappler, as the other party to the agreement, was not officially informed about Commissioner Inting’s memorandum beforehand.
  • Instead, the information and memo were leaked to a TV station associated with disinformation and online attacks on journalists and independent media.
  • We have not received an official copy of the memorandum as of 10 pm on 8 Mar 22, four hours after it was leaked.

External Link : https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/comelec-halts-fact-checking-deal-march-8-2022/

External Link : https://www.rappler.com/about/statement-comelec-commissioner-socorro-inting-suspension-partnership-2022-polls/

8-Mar-2022