BACOLOD City — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a reminder to political candidates to register their social media pages with the commission’s Education and Information Department (EID) as part of campaign regulations.
Acting Regional Election Director for Negros Island Region (NIR) Lionel Marco Castillano emphasized that candidates must register their Facebook pages or any other social media platforms within 30 days after filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs). This requirement applies specifically to pages used for campaign purposes.
“Candidates must register their pages. The purpose is not to control the content, but to ensure transparency and proper regulation of campaign activities,” Castillano said.
He warned that unregistered social media pages used for campaigning could face consequences if complaints are filed with the Comelec.
“If your page is not registered and there are violations reported, the Comelec will ask Meta to take it down,” he added.
Castillano made these remarks during his visit to Bacolod City on October 7 to assess the status of Comelec offices across the province as the filing of COCs continues.
He noted that the security situation in the province has remained peaceful, attributing this to the proactive efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Comelec also reminded supporters of candidates that while they are free to show their support, they will not be allowed inside COC filing venues due to limited space.
Only immediate family members and legal counsel are permitted to accompany candidates inside the premises.
The election period has officially started, and Comelec hopes the peaceful atmosphere will persist through the end of the COC filing period./PN
