The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended on Tuesday its fact-checking partnership with news outlet Rappler ahead of the May national and local elections.
COMELEC, in a memorandum signed by acting chairperson Socorro Inting, cited in its decision the allegations Rappler and the filing of a petition for a temporary restraining order from the Office of the Solicitor General to 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," said the memorandum.
"All actions in connection with the MOA shall be deferred, including coordination between the Commission and Rappler on matters of the MOA," it added.
COMELEC and Rappler back in February inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to fight disinformation in relation to the 2022 national and local elections.
Under the agreement, Rappler will commit its resources to help COMELEC disseminate helpful information and engage the public both online and offline.
However, the partnership drew criticism from various groups, including the National Press Club, which cited Rappler's "spotty record" as a news organization.
The Office of the Solicitor General also filed a petition before the Supreme Court to nullify the said fact-checking deal between COMELEC and Rappler.
"It is beyond belief that COMELEC has allowed a foreign non-registered entity to interfere the conduct of the country’s elections," Calida said.
He also expressed concerns that Rappler "may control any election narrative" that suits its "foreign owners," a claim that the news organization repeatedly denied.
Decision 'regrettable'
In a statement, Rappler responded to the suspension of the fact-checking deal and called it "regrettable."
"The unilateral decision of COMELEC Commissioner Socorro Inting to hold the implementation of our memorandum of agreement is regrettable," it said.
Rappler maintained that its contract with COMELEC was studied by the poll body's own lawyers who found "no legal obstacles."
It lamented how Inting, who was just sworn as COMELEC chair on the same day, made the decision without consultation with the COMELEC En Banc.
"It is equally lamentable that Rappler, as the other party to the agreement, was not officially informed about Commissioner Inting's memorandum beforehand," it said, adding that the organization found out about it through a TV station "associated with disinformation."
"This decision is based on the false and unsubstantiated claims of the Solicitor General, who is obviously acting on behalf of partisan interests that are being threatened by Rappler's independent reporting," it said.
Rappler urged the commission en banc to deliberate on the matter, stressing that the decision should be "based on fact and not unproven accusations" that cannot stand in court.
"This partnership is not just about Rappler but about engaging free and independent media to bring about transparent and more credible elections," it said.
COMELEC first partnered with Rappler in the 2013 elections and has done so with every election since then, according to the organization.
