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 for March 14. On Wednesday, the Comelec said that the social media post by VIS News Media alleging that the young Acop is disqualified for vote buying was untrue. “The circulating social media post by VIS News Media stating that Bong Acop is disqualified as a candidate for a member of the House of Representatives in the 2nd district of Antipolo City is fake news,” according to the poll body. The Comelec Law Department has confirmed it received an election complaint against Acop filed by an Antipolo City resident. It pointed out, though, that filing does not automatically disqualify a particular candidate in an election. “The complaint will still undergo a thorough study [before the Comelec en banc can come out with a ruling],” it said. The poll body has advised the public to verify any online information about the election from the Comelec’s social media accounts. It warned that spreading false information constitutes an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code. The Comelec called for a special election to fill the congressional seat in the 2nd district of Antipolo City, left vacant after Romeo Acop’s death. Aside from Acop, six other candidates are vying for the post, including incumbent Councilors Paulo Tapales (Independent) and LJ Sumulong (NPC), and independent candidates Maria Trinidad Cafirma, Dandin Infante, Reden Llaga, and Nathaniel Lobigas. Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the special election would be held manually. Thus, all those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) are automatically considered candidates for the congressional race. This means that they are prohibited from campaigning before Feb. 12, the start of the campaign period.