Comelec flags report of Acop's disqualification as fake news

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has flagged as "fake news" a report on social media claiming that Bong Acop, son of the late Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, has been disqualified from running in the upcoming special election scheduled on March 14. The Comelec said on Wednesday that a social media post alleging that Acop was disqualified due to vote-buying was not true. "The circulating social media post by VIS News Media stating that Bong Acop is disqualified as a candidate for member of the House of Representatives in the second district of Antipolo City is fake news," the poll body clarified. The Comelec Law Department has confirmed that it received an election complaint against Acop filed by a resident of Antipolo City. It pointed out though that filing did not automatically disqualify a particularl candidate in an election. "The complaint will still undergo a through study [before the Comelec en banc can come out with a ruling]," it said. The poll body has advised the public to verify the information they read on online about the election from the Comelec's social media accounts. It warned that spreading false information constituted an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code. The Comelec called for a special election to fill up the congressional post in the second district of Antipolo City which was left vacant with the recent demise of the elder Acop.