TARLAC City— #FactsFirstPH condemns “synchronized attacks” as the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) warns the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for its partnership with Rappler in a series of fact-checking programs and events for the 2022 National and Local Elections.
Rappler is a member of #FactsFirstPH, a fact-checking network with more than 120 organizations working on the coming Philippine elections. #FactsFirstPH emphasizes in their statement that the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between COMELEC and Rappler “includes matters of public interest which the COMELEC is required by the virtue of the Constitution.”
Rappler and COMELEC entered a partnership and formalized it through a Memorandum of Agreement last February 24 to instill truth and transparency among the poll body for the elections. Solicitor General Jose Calida released a statement soon after calling for a rescindment of the MOA or the OSG will file a case for its nullity.
“COMELEC’s MOA with Rappler violates the Constitution and relevant laws,” according to Calida. Acting COMELEC Chairperson Soccorro Inting said in a March 4 press briefing that the COMELEC is “a constitutional and an independent body.”
#FactsFirstPH reiterates that it will defend its constituents amidst the threat of being sued. “With respect, the OSG’s mandate is to be the “Tribune of the People”, not of one particular candidate,” #FactsFirstPH said.
