Let’s remind candidates about the Elections Integrity Pledge

Vote S.A.F.E (Secure, Accurate, Free and Fair Elections) Pilipinas

October 1 marks the week-long filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), . It is also the first time that the filing is held in the time of a pandemic. Politicians from across the country will seek for more than 18,000 elective seats in the national and local polls on May 9, 2022. Today at the Sofitel hotel, candidates filed their COCs, after which they moved to the media area. Before talking the media, they are brought to read and sign the integrity pledge. Let me share the pledge. You, as the voter, can remind your candidate about the contents of the pledge which applies to political parties and candidates.

Let’s remind them to be vigilant in spreading misinformation, to be transparent in their campaign finance, to be mindful of health protocols, and to keep the elections secure, accurate, free and fair.

COMELEC 2022 National and Local Elections Integrity Pledge

(They showed the original pledge in the photo. I shared the politician’s perspective, so it is easier to read)

As a political candidate seeking office, I recognize and acknowledge that the leadership role I aspire to creates the legal and moral obligation to hold ourselves to a higher standard of integrity; that by asking the Filipino voters to favor me with their mandate, I accept the corresponding burden of ensuring that I am fully worthy of the public trust; that I will not aid or tolerate those who seek to undermine our elections and our democracy in any way.

In all things, I shall abide by the laws and the constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, respecting the sanctity of elections, and rejecting without any reservation the use of violence, force or threats to influence the outcome of elections.

I categorically declare that my campaign shall fully respect the will of the electorate and not seek to unduly influence them by offering money, influence, or other things of value in exchange for votes.

Neither shall I attempt to mislead or misinform the public through the use of falsified, fabricated , manipulated or stolen information. I shall avoid the dissemination of altered and manipulated media that impersonate other candidates, including deep-fake videos.

I commit to make transparent the use of any coordinated network activity to disseminate messages, avoid using such networks to attack opponents and other electoral stakeholders or coordinate third-parties, proxies or fake accounts to undertake these actions . I shall take active steps to maintain good cyber-hygiene such as regular cybersecurity checks and password protection, and train campaign staff in media literacy and risk awareness, in order to recognize and prevent attacks; and I shall ensure transparency and sources of campaign financing, including online political advertising purchases, in the effort to maximize public trust in the electoral process.

And in this era of pandemic I shall be constantly mindful of the public health risks associated with political campaigning, and shall religiously adhere to the minimum health and safety protocols as well as all other applicable guidelines issued by the appropriate health authorities and the Commission on Elections enjoining all, to Vote SAFE (secure, accurate, free and fair elections) Pilipinas.

All these I commit and subscribe to freely and voluntarily with no purpose of evasion, fully accountable to the Filipino people as my witnesses.