Misinformation and disinformation remain the biggest challenges facing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ahead of the Sept. 14 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE), according to its chairperson George Garcia.

In an interview in Davao City, Garcia said false information, including claims that the BPE will not push through, continues to circulate as the elections draw near.

“The biggest challenge in holding the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections is misinformation and disinformation,” he said during the 2nd Bangsamoro Parliament Speakers Bureau on Tuesday.

Garcia said the Comelec expects more false information to emerge as election day in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) approaches.

“There is still misinformation circulating right now regarding whether or not the election will push through… and, as the election approaches, these are bound to increase,” he said, reiterating that the elections will proceed as scheduled.

“There is no restraining order from the Supreme Court. Therefore, our BARMM Parliamentary Elections will definitely push through on Sept. 14, 2026,” the Comelec chief said.

Garcia urged the public to help combat fake news by reporting misleading or false information related to the BPE through the Comelec’s Incident Report Portal at https://tinyurl.com/i-report-COMELEC.

Meanwhile, the Comelec en banc has cancelled the accreditation of the Moro Ako Party as a Regional Parliamentary Political Party (RPPP) for the 2026 BPE.

In a 17-page resolution, the commission granted the petition filed by Aladin Abdul on May 5 seeking the cancellation of the party’s registration.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Petition to Cancel the Registration as Regional Parliamentary Political Party of Moro Ako Party is hereby granted,” the resolution stated.

“Accordingly, the Registration and Accreditation of Moro Ako Party as a Regional Parliamentary Political Party for purposes of the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Parliamentary Elections is cancelled,” it added.

The Comelec said the cancellation stemmed from untruthful statements made by the Moro Ako Party in its application for accreditation.

“In sum, We find that Respondent failed to meet the requirement imposed under Sections 30 and 39 of Comelec Resolution No. 11203 and untruthfully made a statement confirming that it has established chapters in all the provinces and cities, and municipal chapters in the majority of the municipalities comprising the provinces within the BARMM,” the resolution said. (PNA)