The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced that charges may be filed as early as this week against individuals allegedly involved in spreading false information regarding the health condition of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr..
The PCO said it has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to strengthen coordination in addressing the spread of misinformation online.
Acting Communications Secretary Dave Gomez noted that misleading claims about the President’s health saw a spike over the weekend, despite assurances from Malacañang that his condition remains stable.
“The Palace already said the President’s heath is in good condition. Media groups, including Malacañang Press Corps (MPC), denounced claims alleging the use of ‘throwback photos’ or efforts to obscure Marcos’ health status,” the statement read.
Gomez stressed that the government’s intensified campaign against misinformation is rooted in protecting the public’s right to accurate and reliable information.
“Our war on fake news is not about words. It is about protecting our Constitutionally guaranteed right to accurate information and free expression,” he said.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said efforts to counter misinformation are gaining momentum, including closer coordination with major social media platforms.
He revealed that a joint letter from the DICT and PCO had been sent to Meta Platforms, Inc., which reportedly expressed support for the initiative.
“Meta replied to us. They’re in full support of this initiative, Oplan anti-fake news,” Aguda said.
He also added that agreements with several platforms are being arranged to help preserve digital evidence that may be used in filing cases against individuals responsible for spreading false information online.