To ensure a peaceful and clean 2025 midterm elections, media giant ABS-CBN News conducted the Silliman University leg of its Halalan 2025: iTsek ang Boto workshop, featuring Elizabeth Judith Panelo, training officer of ABS-CBN News’ Bayan Mo, Ipatrol Mo, and Alexa Yadao, program officer of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE).
Panelo discussed the history of elections and technology, and taught students how to look for local stories. She also conducted a hands-on workshop on fact-checking tools and best practices, centered on the impact of misinformation in the digital age.
On the other hand, Yadao focused on explaining election laws, and campaign finance regulations.
Mass communication students and campus journalists from Silliman, Negros Oriental State University, Foundation University, and Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alexandria participated in the workshop.
In her opening remarks, SU Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Margaret Helen Alvarez emphasized the importance of truth in journalism and elections.
“Fake news is an oxymoronic term because fake [means it] is not true, while news is always true; therefore, the two [words] should not be together,” she said.
The event was part of an ongoing partnership between ABS-CBN and Silliman through the College of Mass Communication, after both parties signed a covenant earlier in January.
“Working together, we built on each other’s strength and capabilities to help our kababayans. We kept our countrymen informed, and ensured that their will was enforced through clean and honest elections,” said Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN president and CEO, during the covenant signing.
Other election-related initiatives from ABS-CBN include the Halalan 2025 microsite, the Harapan 2025 senatorial candidates’ one-on-one interviews, and Biyaheng City Hall coverage of local races.
Silliman Masscom Dean Dr. Madeline Quiamco shared that this is not the first time that SU partnered with ABS-CBN. In 2022, the College hosted ABS-CBN’s workshop on election reporting and fact-checking.
As part of the partnership, interested students will also be trained as volunteer correspondents that would guarantee “no foul play” and “transmit prompt results” from Negros Oriental to ABS-CBN during election day. (Deorafe Basong and Rica Regalia/SU Masscom)
