Secretary Coloma: Candidates should not oversell, but tell only the truth

Quezon City, Feb. 8 (PIA) — Candidates running in the forthcoming May election should not oversell themselves because they cannot hide the truth from the public—especially in the internet age.

In today’s episode of Paghahanda Para sa Hatol ng Bayan, Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said voters can easily “fast-check” or verify statements made by candidates, like what US citizens did in their last presidential elections.

Coloma said voters can easily search the internet and other forms of media to verify the campaign claims of candidates.

“One can no longer resort to lies and exaggeration,” Coloma said in Fillipino. For instance, one can no longer falsely claim to have lived a life of poverty.

It takes only one click in Google to know the truth.”

Coloma said leading government news and information organizations have come together to form Media ng Bayan.

The show airs 3:30 pm to 5 pm on weekdays on PTV and radyo ng Bayan, and via livestreaming on mediangbayan.ph.

The Media ng Bayan comprises the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Broadcasting Service PBS)-Radyo ng bayan, People’s Television Network, Philippine News Agency (PNA) and the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.

Media ng Bayan is non-partisan, said People’s Television Network (PTV) Corporate Communications Head Jennifer-Jimeno Atienza,” We want to give our viewers an informed choice”.

During his recent visit in Dipolog City, President Aquino asked the people to exercise discernment in choosing the country’s next batch of leaders and support moves for fair elections.

The President said, “Participate, safeguard and unite in the holding of honest and fair elections.” (Lyndon Plantilla-Media ng Bayan)