COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) acting chairperson Socorro Inting has ordered the temporary suspension of the implementation of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) the agency signed with news organization Rappler Inc., a day after the Office of the Solicitor General filed a petition against it before the Supreme Court.
"Given the allegations against Rappler and the subsequent filing of the petition with the Supreme Court, it is judicious for the Commission to hold in abeyance the implementation of the provisions of the MOA until the issues are settled and/or decision of the court is rendered," Inting said in a memorandum released on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
"All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including coordination between the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA," she added.
On Monday, March 7, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a petition seeking to declare the Comelec-Rappler MOA as void and unconstitutional, citing “numerous violations” to the 1987 Constitution and other laws, the company’s track record in terms of fairness in news reporting, and its ownership issue.
The MOA was signed by Comelec and Rappler officials on February 24.
Under the agreement, Rappler will help Comelec in educating the voting public by conducting fact-checking on election-related information on social media.
The National Press Club, which is one of the oldest and biggest media organizations in the country, told the Comelec through a letter that its partnership with Rappler “is a step in the wrong direction.”
The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) also supported Calida’s call.
Hours after the petition was filed, Inting said they will defend the petition inked with Rappler, maintaining it underwent a review by their law department.
"We cannot do anything but face the music, answer the petition, and defend the memorandum of agreement that we signed with Rappler. Whatever decision the court will render, we will abide by it," she said in a press conference. (SunStar Philippines)