NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Fighting Fake News: PCO Chief Warns Of Online Division Among Filipinos
FILE
The Philippines is facing a growing problem that’s tearing the nation apart—not through politics or protests, but through something far more insidious: fake news.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chief Jay Ruiz raised the alarm on Friday, saying that misinformation and disinformation online are fueling division among Filipinos.
“What is happening to us right now is we are being polarized, being divided online. Filipinos are being pitted against Filipinos,” Ruiz told lawmakers during the House Tri-Committee’s third hearing on malicious online content.
He likened the situation to what’s happening in the United States, where social media has become a battleground of opposing views.
A ‘Big Fight’ Against Lies
Ruiz didn’t hold back, calling the battle against online deception “the big fight” that the country should focus on.
“Lies, repeated a thousand times, become the truth. We have to fight lies with truth. The voice of truth should be louder than lies,” he emphasized.
To tackle this, he proposed a stronger collaboration between the PCO, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to crack down on malicious content.
The Rise of Deep Fakes and Scams
Beyond just fake news, Ruiz also warned about deep fakes—AI-generated videos and images designed to deceive people.
He shared that some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already fallen victim to scams using deep fake videos of celebrities to trick them into giving away their money.
Regulating Social Media Giants
One of the challenges, according to Ruiz, is that platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube aren’t based in the Philippines, making it harder to regulate them.
While he called for stricter oversight of both online media practitioners and social media platforms, he acknowledged that enforcing rules on global tech giants remains a tough battle.
The Bottom Line
With misinformation running rampant, Ruiz is pushing for a nationwide effort to ensure truth prevails. But with the rise of deep fakes and unregulated online content, the fight against fake news is far from over.
The big question now: Can the government find a way to crack down on digital deception without infringing on free speech?
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) chief Jay Ruiz raised the alarm on Friday, saying that misinformation and disinformation online are fueling division among Filipinos.
“What is happening to us right now is we are being polarized, being divided online. Filipinos are being pitted against Filipinos,” Ruiz told lawmakers during the House Tri-Committee’s third hearing on malicious online content.
He likened the situation to what’s happening in the United States, where social media has become a battleground of opposing views.
A ‘Big Fight’ Against Lies
Ruiz didn’t hold back, calling the battle against online deception “the big fight” that the country should focus on.
“Lies, repeated a thousand times, become the truth. We have to fight lies with truth. The voice of truth should be louder than lies,” he emphasized.
To tackle this, he proposed a stronger collaboration between the PCO, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to crack down on malicious content.
The Rise of Deep Fakes and Scams
Beyond just fake news, Ruiz also warned about deep fakes—AI-generated videos and images designed to deceive people.
He shared that some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already fallen victim to scams using deep fake videos of celebrities to trick them into giving away their money.
Regulating Social Media Giants
One of the challenges, according to Ruiz, is that platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube aren’t based in the Philippines, making it harder to regulate them.
While he called for stricter oversight of both online media practitioners and social media platforms, he acknowledged that enforcing rules on global tech giants remains a tough battle.
The Bottom Line
With misinformation running rampant, Ruiz is pushing for a nationwide effort to ensure truth prevails. But with the rise of deep fakes and unregulated online content, the fight against fake news is far from over.
The big question now: Can the government find a way to crack down on digital deception without infringing on free speech?
Mar 21, 2025
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
