Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday, May 14 denied he is campaigning for the May 2022 elections prematurely through Facebook and other social media platforms.
Gatchalian said any information posted on his Facebook and other social media accounts are regular postings of his office in his capacity as chairman of two major Senate committees.
“My office has always been consistent in informing the public of my advocacies since I assumed office in 2016 and even prior to that. We make sure that we tap all available media platforms because it is the right of the people to be informed about matters of public concern,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
Data from the social media platform showed that Gatchalian, a re-electionist in the upcoming May 2022 national and local elections, is among the top spender on FB ads, spending P4.5-million promoting at least 600 posts, according to a report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).
He is followed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and his supporters, who spent more than P1-million to promote a total of 45 posts. Antique Representative and former Senator Loren Legarda is also reportedly using Facebook as a campaign tool.
“My postings on social media are normally simultaneous with our press releases which are related to the two committees that I chair in the Senate — Energy and Basic Education, Arts and Culture Committees,” Gatchalian stressed.
“These information are not intended for campaign purposes whatsoever. May eleksyon man o wala, ako ay magpapatuloy pa rin sa pagbibigay ng impormasyon sa publiko dahil karapatan itong malaman ng bawat Pilipino (Whether or not there is an election, I will continue to provide information to the public through this channels, because Filipinos have the right to be informed),” he said.