POLL watchdog Vote Report PH has recorded close to 100 campaign violations since the start of the campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates in the May 12 elections.
In its “initial report,” Vote Report PH noted that it has monitored 94 illegal campaign incidents as of March 14.
“The number of reports of campaign violations is at 94,” said the Vote Report PH.
More than half of the illegal campaign violations, or 64 percent, the group said, are red-tagging with some using deepfakes to spread disinformation.
“Usual victims of red-tagging are progressive senatorial and/or party-list candidates,” said the organization.
Running at second were misplaced and oversized campaign materials with 25 percent.
“Most violations of illegal campaigning are observed from candidates leading in formal and informal surveys,” said Vote Report PH.
Other campaign violations observed were vote buying (4%) and illegal use of public resources (3%).
Sought for comment, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will look into the report of Vote Report PH and compare it with their records.
“We are one with them, and we will hold responsible violators of campaign rules,” said Comelec Chairman George Garcia in a short statement.
Vote Report PH is an alliance of professionals, individuals, and organizations that aims for clean, honest, and fair elections. It has been encouraging the public to report campaign violations.
