By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The Commission on Elections has reported that only five candidates in Iloilo City have registered their official social media accounts and online campaign platforms for the May midterm elections.
Among them is Danilo Baylon Purzuelo, one of the three aspirants for the city’s lone congressional seat, including reelectionist Rep. Julienne Baronda.
Of the 29 candidates running for the City Council, only four have registered their online platforms.
These are Jan Dominic Barredo, Frances Grace Parcon-Torres, Jose Maria Miguel Treñas and Bryant Ian Zulueta.
Jonathan Sayno, assistant officer II of Comelec-Iloilo City, told Daily Guardian that unregistered social media accounts used for campaigning could be taken down by the Comelec.
“Based on the rules, if they use social media in their campaign and were not able to comply, and the Comelec found out it is not registered, the Comelec is obliged to take down the social media account,” he said.
Sayno clarified that non-registration of an account does not violate any election laws and will not result in disqualification or removal from office.
He said the registration requirement aims to monitor campaign spending, promote transparency and combat disinformation during the election period.
Comelec Resolution No. 11064 requires all candidates to register their social media accounts, websites, blogs, vlogs, podcasts and other internet-based campaign platforms.
The initial deadline for registration was December 13, 2024, but the Comelec extended it until March 31, 2025.
Privately owned accounts endorsing candidates are no longer required to register under the amended Resolution No. 11064-A.
In other Western Visayas provinces, compliance also remains low.
Only 48 candidates for district representative, vice governor and governor positions have registered their online accounts.
These include 15 in Aklan, 14 in Antique, four in Capiz, seven in Guimaras and eight in Iloilo province.
