Verification of candidates' YouTube accounts crucial move vs false information--Lacson
Presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson on Monday said the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) move to verify the YouTube accounts of candidates for the May 2022 elections is a "much-needed and welcome move."
Lacson, standard bearer of Partido Reporma, said social media platforms have the potential to misinform the public if they are left unchecked.
"I couldn't agree more with the Comelec on this move. The use of social media platforms has almost become the qualifying barometer in educating - but ironically, also disinforming to the point of deceiving - our people," Lacson said.
Likewise, the senator said he hopes that similar moves that encourage responsibility and accountability on other social media platforms can be done soonest, or at least, before the campaign period starts in February next year.
"This will help greatly in preparing Filipino voters to select the right leader on May 9, 2022," he said.
"Left unchecked, social media could lead to wrong choices of officials who will have the unenviable task of leading our country in its most trying times," he stressed.
The Comelec said it would be working with YouTube to add a verified badge for official candidates that submit their official channel to the poll body.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said it is one way of eliminating false information during the election season.