Filipino concern over online disinfo hits record high—Digital News Report 2025
Concern over online mis- and disinformation in the Philippines climbed to a record 67% in early 2025 amid a politically charged midterm election season that saw Vice President Sara Duterte impeached on corruption charges and former president Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity tied to his brutal drug war.
Sara Duterte was not hospitalized
A Facebook page falsely claimed that Kitty Duterte had released a statement that Vice President Sara Duterte was in critical condition in a hospital.
Photo of Vice President Duterte asking for money via GCash, AI-generated
A video containing an AI-generated photo that falsely depicts Vice President Sara Duterte soliciting money through GCash while holding a QR code has surfaced on Facebook.
Vice President Sara Duterte shook hands with Sen. Bong Go
A video of Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Bong Go has circulated on Facebook, falsely claiming that the vice president avoided shaking hands with Go.
Rodrigo Duterte did not sing ‘Pilipinas Kong Mahal’
A YouTube content creator falsely claimed that former president Rodrigo Duterte sang the patriotic song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”
Inaccurate claims about Philippine juvenile justice law surface online
The false posts cite a murder to criticize legislation authored by a newly elected senator, but the perpetrators were sentenced to jail despite being under 18 when they committed the crime.
Philippine politicians share AI-generated interviews supporting VP Duterte
After Philippine House prosecutors said Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial complies with the constitution, her allies shared a video purportedly showing street interviews of students criticizing the proceedings.
Tsek/Eks: Si Pia Cayetano ba ang dapat sisihin sa pagkakalat ng POGO sa Pilipinas?
Isa lang si Senator-elect Pia Cayetano sa mga mambabatas na sumulat ng panukalang naging batayan ng RA 11590 na batas hinggil sa POGO. Pero 2017 pa nagkaroon ng kontrol ang PAGCOR sa mga POGO nang nag-isyu si dating Pangulong Duterte ng EO No. 13.
P13-trillion national debt not solely incurred under Duterte administration
A Facebook user falsely claimed that P13 trillion of the current P16 trillion national debt was incurred solely during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Sen. Robin Padilla did not announce death of ex-president Duterte
A YouTube video posted by the channel “Viral TV” falsely claimed that Sen. Robin Padilla announced during a Senate hearing that former president Rodrigo Duterte had died in the Netherlands following his arrest.
Sara Duterte not at the Senate session for impeachment on June 10
A YouTube video falsely claimed that Vice President Sara Duterte shouted at senators trying to push for her impeachment.
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Dela Rosa draws flak over AI video of students opposing Sara Duterte’s impeachment
Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa unapologetically shared an AI-generated video of Filipino students opposing the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Post-election information analysis with UP Assoc. Prof. Danilo Arao
Panoorin ang post-election information analysis kasama si UP Department of Journalism Assoc. Prof. Danilo A. Arao, PhD. Kabilang sa mga tinalakay sa panayam ang disinformation, red-tagging, at historical denialism.
Tsek/Eks: ‘Walang Warrant sa Pag-aresto kay Duterte?’
Balikan natin ang timeline ng ICC case – mula Davao Death Squad hanggang sa The Hague upang suriin kung ilegal nga ba ang pagdakip kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
MEDIA & INFORMATION LITERACY
After Bato and Baste’s AI shares: How to identify AI-generated content online
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa shared a viral post about a supposed interview of youth sentiment on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings.
Late dictator Marcos Sr., nagmulto kay BBM?
Tila nagparamdam si late dictator and former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. sa kaniyang anak na si President Bongbong Marcos sa isang video. Turns out, deepfake pala ito!
Tsek/Eks: ‘Katotohanan o Kathang AI?’
Sa isang deepfake video, kinausap raw ni Trump ang mga DDS at sinabing, “these DDS people need education?’”
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