Public Perception: Philippine Politicians Viewed as the Main Drivers of Disinformation

In the Philippines, a growing wave of public distrust towards politicians has been thrust into the spotlight by a recent study revealing that Filipinos view their leaders as the primary source of online disinformation. The 2025 Reuters Institute Digital News Report, released on June 17, found that 55 percent of Filipino respondents identified politicians as the chief purveyors of false information, a figure significantly higher than the global average. This alarming trend, compounded by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create deceptive content such as deepfake videos, has deepened political divisions, particularly amid the intensifying rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte.

Rising Concerns Over Disinformation

The Reuters report, which surveyed 97,055 individuals across 48 territories including 2,014 Filipinos, highlights a sharp increase in public concern over disinformation in the Philippines. The percentage of Filipinos worried about false information online rose from 63 percent in 2024 to 67 percent in 2025. This surge coincides with a politically charged period, as the survey was conducted between mid-January and late February, overlapping with the campaign season for the May midterm elections. The report attributes the spike in disinformation to the widening rift between Marcos and Duterte, a conflict that reached a boiling point with Duterte’s impeachment in February and the subsequent arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his controversial war on drugs.

Unlike global trends where both politicians and influencers are equally blamed for spreading false information at 47 percent each, Filipinos overwhelmingly point to their elected officials. Other sources of disinformation, such as online influencers (48 percent), activists (38 percent), journalists (37 percent), and foreign governments (34 percent), trail behind. This perception reflects a broader disillusionment with leadership, as sustained and organized disinformation campaigns—often echoing statements from politicians—continue to erode trust.

Deepfakes and Political Fallout

A striking example of this crisis unfolded on June 15, when two prominent allies of Vice-President Duterte—Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte—shared a video on social media purportedly showing male students condemning Marcos-allied lawmakers for impeaching Duterte. However, fact-checkers from Philippine newsrooms like Rappler and Tsek.ph later revealed the video to be a deepfake, created using AI technology. The incident drew sharp criticism from social media users, with many accusing dela Rosa of irresponsibly amplifying false narratives.

Defending his actions, dela Rosa stated on June 16: “I don’t care if this post is AI-generated… because I am not after the messenger. I am after the message.” His response has raised concerns among experts about the cavalier attitude of some politicians towards the dangers of AI-generated content. Jean Encinas-Franco, a political scientist from the University of the Philippines, expressed alarm over the apparent lack of understanding among leaders about the implications of such technology. “My sense is that very few politicians really understand what AI is all about. It’s a little bit worrisome that they’re not very concerned about the impact of how AI is used” she said.

Organized Disinformation Networks

Beyond individual incidents, experts point to a deeper, systemic issue of organized disinformation networks that amplify misleading narratives. Associate Professor Danilo Arao, a journalism instructor at the University of the Philippines, described these operations as “sustained” and often aligned with political rhetoric. He referenced a March investigation by The Philippine Star, which uncovered 20 seemingly unrelated Facebook accounts posting identical content framing Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest as a “kidnapping”—language mirroring statements from Duterte’s children, several of whom hold public office. “When you have the government, especially certain government officials, spreading disinformation, then naturally, people will become disappointed” Arao noted.

This pattern of coordinated falsehoods is not new but has gained momentum amid the Marcos-Duterte feud. Historical disinformation efforts, such as social media campaigns to whitewash abuses during the martial law era under Ferdinand Marcos Sr., have also resurfaced. A 2022 study by the Philippine Media Monitoring Laboratory found that such narratives benefited Marcos Jr. during his successful presidential campaign, further complicating the public’s relationship with truth and accountability.

Foreign Influence and National Sentiment

Adding to the complexity, disinformation in the Philippines is not solely a domestic issue. Defense officials and lawmakers have raised concerns about alleged Chinese malign influence operations, including disinformation campaigns tied to the ongoing maritime dispute in the South China Sea, where both nations have competing claims. In April, Senator Francis Tolentino accused the Chinese Embassy in Manila of orchestrating a “hidden and sinister” campaign to sway public opinion with pro-Beijing narratives, targeting not only the territorial dispute but also midterm election candidates critical of China’s stance. Beijing has denied these allegations.

For many Filipinos, such narratives strike a deeply emotional chord. “We’re dealing with sovereignty issues, and it’s also very emotional because it’s intricately linked with patriotism and sense of nationhood” Encinas-Franco explained. “If you’re a Filipino, and you see fake news articles that are pro-Beijing, you’ll get mad about these things.” Arao added that some content creators aligned with the Dutertes have echoed pro-China sentiments, a legacy of Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot towards Beijing during his presidency from 2016 to 2022. Still, both analysts emphasized that domestic disinformation driven by local politicians remains the more immediate and pervasive threat.

The Path Forward: Media Literacy and Accountability

As disinformation continues to undermine public trust, calls for greater vigilance and education have grown louder. Marcos himself has urged Filipinos to remain alert to false information, though his own campaign history raises questions about the sincerity of such appeals. Arao and Encinas-Franco stress the need for citizens to become more discerning consumers of online content, advocating for sustained fact-checking by newsrooms and a broader push for media literacy.

Arao proposed a more systemic solution, suggesting revisions to the national school curriculum to include lessons on critical thinking and fact-checking. “We need critical thinking. We have to ensure that critical pedagogy will not be compromised and will not be discouraged in our educational system. That’s how we fight disinformation” he said. Such measures, while long-term, could equip future generations to navigate the increasingly murky waters of digital information.

Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of AI technology poses an urgent challenge. If left unchecked, the proliferation of deepfakes and other synthetic content could further destabilize an already polarized political landscape. The incident involving Senator dela Rosa serves as a stark reminder of the ethical responsibilities politicians bear in the digital age—a responsibility some appear unwilling or unprepared to shoulder.

As the Philippines heads towards future elections and grapples with both domestic and international tensions, the battle against disinformation remains a defining struggle. Whether through education, accountability, or technological safeguards, the nation’s ability to reclaim trust in its information ecosystem will shape not only its political future but also its sense of unity and purpose.