Reclaim the Filipino Vote: Multi-sectoral group backs Comelec’s ‘Kontra-Bigay’ campaign with #MineAngBotoKo movement

To uphold the principles of fair and free elections, a multi-sectoral group gives its support to the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Kontra-Bigay campaign, as it takes the lead with #MineAngBotoKo, a disruptive and high-visibility social movement and civic campaign directly targeting vote-selling and vote-buying. Recognizing the need for innovative approaches, the movement is designed for platforms where influence thrives—social media and livestream commerce.

#MineAngBotoKo avoids lectures and speaks the language of live selling to engage the 21.87 million Gen Z voters expected to turn out in the upcoming midterm elections. It leverages storytelling and community-driven content, aiming to build a civic movement that feels more like culture than instruction, and pushes purpose into uncomfortable but necessary territory, especially in least-expected spaces. With vote-buying turned brazen, the solutions must be just as bold. 

Comelec commissioner-in-charge Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda, Jr. said, “The video campaign perfectly captures the self-deprecating humor that resonates with our young voters. This is exactly the kind of hope the youth gives us—the hope that we are raising a generation of voters who understand the power of their voice and are willing to protect it. Let’s continue working together to ensure that these young voters inherit an electoral system worthy of their trust.”

The #MineAngBotoKo movement encourages young voters to take ownership of their democratic rights, as it sends a pointed signal to political candidates that the new generation of voters is more informed, discerning, and vocal about their commitment to an accountable and truly representative electoral process in the Philippines.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia noted, “The strength of a nation’s democracy lies in the hands of its youth. When they say no to vote-buying and yes to integrity, they become the voice of real change.”

To amplify this movement, Comelec has forged a multi-sectoral partnership, initially bringing together FYT Media, a next-generation newsroom co-founded by veteran journalists Voltaire Tupaz and Atom Araullo; GCash, the country’s leading finance super app; and CDO Foodsphere, one of the Philippines’ largest food manufacturing companies. The campaign officially launches on May 9, 2025, and the Comelec expects more partners to join as election day nears.

To join, amplify, or support the movement, follow Comelec and use the hashtag #MineAngBotoKo on social media. 

Converge supports DICT, Comelec in curbing AI-backed misinformation during elections

Head of Corporate Information Security Andrew Malijan addresses children aged 8-14 at the DICT’s Culminating Activity for Safer Internet Month, urging them to practice safe online behavior. 

The Head of Corporate Information Security at Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has warned against the use of ‘deepfakes’ and other misinformation devices in the Philippines, especially during the election campaign season.

Converge SVP and Corporate Information Security Officer Andrew T. Malijan said that misinformation and politically-motivated content may likely increase during this campaign season, and the internet serves as a ripe platform to be leveraged for these. 

Thus, he said that Converge continues to strengthen its network against malicious actors and agents and joins the government in educating the public about these illicit online activities.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) earlier announced that they have launched a campaign to curb disinformation and ‘deepfakes’ during the run up to the mid-term elections in May 2025. 

Deepfakes refer to doctored videos that use Artificial Intelligence (AI) and facial recognition technology to mimic facial expression and characteristics of one person and superimpose it on another person's body.

Malijan signs the Commitment Pledge of DICT to uphold the welfare and safety of children, especially in safeguarding them from malicious actors online. 

Malijan affirmed this, citing data from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime which stated that the APAC region experienced a 1530% increase in deepfake cases between 2022 and 2023. The Philippines felt the highest growth in deepfake cases at 4500%. 

In the Converge network, Malijan additionally reported that in the period of January to February 2025, a whopping 123 billion illegal access entry attempts were made by illicit actors, already at 80% of the total of 2024. 

“We may very well exceed the 2024 record of 180 billion entry attempts, as January to February has already logged in this much,” said Malijan.

Further signalling its commitment to create a safe online environment, Converge last week participated in the culminating activity of the DICT for Safer Internet Month. 

The multi-stakeholder event organized by the DICT addressed children and their guardians and parents directly on the dangers of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), as well as the general precautions to take to ensure their safety online. 

Converge has been a member of  the UK-based advocacy anti-OSAEC organization Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) since 2021, and locally, is a staunch partner of Stairway Foundation,a  child rights protection group. To fight online and offline scams, it has also enlisted Scam Watch Pilipinas as a partner. 

#PILIpinas, Sino Ang Pipiliin Mo?

Manila, Philippines---On October 12, 2015

The Commission On Election (COMELEC) headed by it's Spokesman, Director James Jimenez launched an initiative to educate and influence Filipinos to think better, empower their neighbors and to vote wisely with the launch of  #PILIpinas on Social Media. It's a campaign in order for Filipinos to be ready for this coming May 2016 election with the following objectives;

1. To have a better Philippines by electing the right government officials starts from the lowest post in Barangays up to the Presidential hopefuls.

2. To choose better candidates who will represent the masses.

3. To elect public servants who are patriotic, ready to sacrifice their life for the Filipino people and will help the Philippines to be a first world country once again.

Filipinos right now are 100 Million according to statistics and based on the survey that our economy is getting stronger in terms of investors and employment rate which we're not everyone believes because of the visual poverty that we can see around like growing of indigent people in rural and urban areas and price increase  of basic goods and services over the past years.

#PILIpinas is one way to enlighten, empower and share awareness to everyone on who are the right people to vote for this coming election.

#PILIpinas will give the public a chance on what they like to tell to the candidates via Twitter and Facebook. For more information please log on to http://www.pili-pinas.info .