COMMISSION on Election (COMELEC) Chairman Atty. George Garcia has already expressed his disapproval of using artificial intelligence (AI) in campaigning for the 2025 elections.
In a letter, Garcia recommended to the COMELEC en banc to ban AI in campaigning.
Garcia said that experts are concerned about the dangers of AI, especially deep fakes, which can be used for deception and spread misinformation to voters and candidates.
He mentioned an incident where even the President of the country allegedly fell victim to AI-generated deep fake videos aimed at deceiving viewers.
According to Garcia, the abuse of AI technology in campaign materials—including videos, audio, and other forms of media—could lead to misrepresentation in the elections.
“We know modern technology, why not? But when it comes to campaigning, you should be the one seen by the people. You should be the one courting them,” said Atty. George Garcia, Chair, COMELEC.
“This is too much of a threat to our democracy. It’s too much of a threat to what is really done during elections and campaigns,” Garcia added.
Meanwhile, former Cong. Edgar Erice said that COMELEC could regulate the use of AI, but the question is—how will COMELEC regulate it?
“Regulation is possible. But how do you regulate the candidate? If something like this comes out, he can say that it didn’t come from us, like a poster, it’s prohibited here, someone might still put it up but the candidate will say, I didn’t put that up,” stated Former Cong. Edgar Erice.
Tech Expert Art Samaniego, on the other hand, believes that social media should be prohibited from using AI.
“So, what are the sources of AI? Social Media. Facebook, X, and Instagram,” Art Samaniego, Tech Expert expressed.
According to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, COMELEC should identify which AI applications should be banned.
“We have to clarify what will be banned in AI because AI’s application is too broad. As I mentioned earlier, it’s not far-fetched that you can ask AI, you can tell it to make you a commercial, and it will make a commercial for you. So, there are legal applications and illegal applications. For example, if you make an advertisement against your opponent… you have to really narrow down what will be banned. Admittedly, AI is a moving target so the regulator, which is Comelec, should also be quick,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian stressed.
