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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Comelec suspends partnership with Rappler

Philippines

Comelec suspends partnership with Rappler

By Jel Santos

In a sudden change of tune, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, March 8, temporarily suspended its partnership with news website Rappler.

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Just yesterday, March 7, acting Comelec Chairperson Socorro B. Inting said the poll body will answer the petition filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to defend Comelec’s forged partnership with Rappler.

Inting even emphasized Comelec’s independence as a constitutional body after being given a deadline by OSG to drop the partnership with the news website.

Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez also defended the partnership with Rappler by saying the issue on its alleged foreign ownership is still “on status quo.”

“Given the allegations against Rappler and the subsequent filing of the Petition with the Supreme Court, it is judicious for the Commission 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,” the memorandum signed by Inting stated.

“All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including coordination between the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA,” it added.

The OSG , on Monday, March 7, filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the partnership entered into by Comelec and Rappler.

On Feb. 24, Comelec signed a MOA with Rappler in a bid to fight disinformation and promote voter awareness during the election season.

The partnership was first opposed by the National Press Club Ior NPC, saying the partnership is “unacceptable to most Filipinos.”

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