Commission on Elections-Negros Oriental provincial election supervisor Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental is now investigating "misleading information" that the poll body is still accepting applications for voter registration for the May 9 elections. Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Negros Oriental provincial election supervisor, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that his office has received information about fake news circulating on social media and other platforms that somebody is telling or asking people to register for the upcoming polls. "The Comelec condemns this fake news using the agency's name as we have long since ended our registration of voters," Castillano said in mixed English and Cebuano. He cited Republic Act 8189 or the General Registration and Continuing Registration Act which does not allow the registration of voters 120 days before an election. The deadline for the registration of voters for the 2022 elections was on Oct. 31, 2021, he said. "In fact, we have finalized and printed our voter's list for the May 9 elections and we hope that whatever is the motive in circulating this fake news, those behind this should not carry the name of Comelec," he added. Castillano said Bindoy town is one area where the purported registration of voters was allegedly taking place. He has asked the election officer and the police chief there to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, he cautioned the people against believing deceptions and tactics like this, saying that during the election season, there are many "tricks" being employed by political candidates and/or their supporters to win votes. Whoever is behind this fake news, if identified and found guilty, may be charged with usurpation of authority and usurpation of function as they are not Comelec employees, Castillano said. (PNA) }