THE Presidential Communications Office (PCO) will launch a website to counter the proliferation of fake news, Malacañang announced Friday, in the wake of the persistent rumors against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s health.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government will not allow fake news peddlers to further spread misinformation and disinformation aimed at discrediting Marcos and his administration.
Castro said the official date for the website launch is still being finalized.
“Gagawa po ang PCO ng isang website o isang platform kung saan niyo isusumbong ang fake news na nagkakalat. At iyan po ay hindi namin tutulugan at lahat po iyan ay dapat na sampahan ng kaso,” she said.
Castro maintained that claims about Marcos’ worsening health condition are “fake news.”
She also dismissed rumors that Marcos’ attendance at the Day of Valor commemoration in Bataan was “AI-generated (artificial intelligence-generated).”
She called on the mainstream media and responsible social media users to combat “fake news” against Marcos, particularly regarding the real condition of his health.
Castro made the call as she slammed Vice President Sara Duterte’s “irresponsible” response to false claims about Marcos’ allegedly deteriorating health.
“Kayo po ba’y nag-iisip minsan kung bakit nga ba dumadami ang fake news ngayon? Meron bang pagkakataon, sinasadya ba? At alam naman natin ang fake news na naglalabasan (Do you ever wonder why fake news is increasing today? Is it by chance, is it intentional? And we know the fake news that is being released),” she said.
“Ito’y halos lahat, laban sa Pangulo at laban sa administrasyon na ito. Patungkol sa kalusugan. Wala daw ginagawa ang gobyerno, lalung-lalo na patungkol sa krisis sa Middle East. Iyan lahat ay kasinungalingan (It is all against the President and his administration. It is all about his health. They say the government is doing nothing, especially regarding the crisis in the Middle East. All of that is a lie).”
In a statement on Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will extend assistance in the investigation and case build-up against those who deliberately fabricated and spread fake news regarding Marcos’ health.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said the PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) will coordinate with other agencies to trace the personalities so that they can be held accountable.
“There is no absolute freedom in the use of social media,” he said. “Those who ignore the responsibility that comes with posting and sharing content should be ready to face accountability.”
The PNP chief reminded the public to verify information before sharing it, and encouraged citizens to report false news online.
Despite the fake news hurled at the government, Castro said Marcos remains focused on serving the people.
Castro added that PCO acting Secretary Dave Gomez has already submitted evidence to the Department of Justice to hold accountable the individuals spreading false information about Marcos’ health on social media.
“Kung merong mga naninira, alam naman natin kung saang parte ito nanggagaling. At suportahan natin mismo ang gobyerno at labanan natin ang fake news (If there are those who are maligning [the government], we know where it is coming from. And let’s support the government and fight fake news),” she said.
The “fake news” posts against Marcos were flagged by the PCO Anti-Fake News Desk, set up after the launch of Oplan Kontra Fake News on March 4. (with a report from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
