Study in the Role of Philippine Government Agencies in Addressing Misinformation and Disinformation

Disclaimer from the Author: 

This article is a study and a reflection of my perspective, formulated from various frameworks and best practices I have encountered in my academic and professional journey. The examples and figures presented are conceptual and should be treated as guiding principles, not as real-world scenarios or validated data.

Readers are advised to use the content herein as a reference for exploring ideas and strategies, not as a definitive source of operational frameworks or policy implementation. While the insights aim to inspire critical thinking and understanding, they are not grounded in empirical research or official government practices.

Users should exercise discretion and seek further research or professional guidance when applying these principles to real-life situations.

Tackling Misinformation and Disinformation: The Philippine Government’s Strategic Role

As the global landscape continues to evolve, countries like the Philippines are increasingly vulnerable to a range of emerging risks. Among these, misinformation and disinformation have emerged as the most pressing threats, especially within the next two years, as highlighted in the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Perception Survey (2024–2025). With the Philippines’ high social media penetration, disinformation campaigns—whether orchestrated by local actors or foreign entities—can distort democratic processes, incite societal polarization, and undermine public trust in governance.

The rapid spread of false information through platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram is not just a matter of individual deception; it has evolved into a national security concern. This issue calls for a proactive and unified approach from various government institutions, particularly in the realms of technology, law enforcement, and public communication.

The Role of Philippine Government Agencies

1. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

   • Role: Lead agency in digital policy, cybersecurity, and regulation of online platforms.

   • Obligation: Enhance digital literacy programs, promote responsible online behavior, and strengthen cybersecurity measures.

2. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)

   • Role: Ensure integrity of elections and protect the democratic process.

   • Obligation: Monitor online political ads and combat election-related disinformation.

3. Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

   • Role: Integrate media and information literacy in the education curriculum.

   • Obligation: Develop critical thinking skills among youth to discern credible information sources.

4. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) – Cybercrime Division

   • Role: Investigate and prosecute cybercrimes including digital misinformation campaigns.

   • Obligation: Work with international partners and tech companies to trace and hold accountable disinformation sources. 

5. Presidential Communications Office (PCO)

   • Role: Provide clear, consistent government messaging to counter false narratives.

   • Obligation: Establish a real-time fact-checking mechanism and coordinate information flow across agencies.

6. Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

   Monitor social media platforms and detect disinformation campaigns. Coordinate with international cybersecurity agencies.

Risk	Impact Level	Vulnerability Level	Responsible Agency	Action Plan	Mitigation Measures

Widespread misinformation and disinformation on social media

High – Erodes public trust, manipulates voter behavior

High – High social media usage and low digital literacy in rural areas

DICT, PCO, DepEd

- Launch Digital Literacy Campaigns - Promote “Think Before You Share” programs

- Integrate media literacy in the curriculum - Launch online verification tools for the public

Election-related disinformation

Very High – Undermines democratic process

High

COMELEC, NBI

- Collaborate with watchdogs (e.g., NAMFREL, PPCRV) - Monitor AI-generated fake news

- Real-time fact-checking hubs during elections - AI-driven content verification partnerships

Online scams, fraud, and impersonation

Medium to High – Victimizes citizens and erodes digital trust

High

NBI, PNP-ACG

- Use forensic science and AI to track fraud - Run public awareness campaigns

- Strengthen digital forensics capacity - Enforce stricter penalties for online crimes

Foreign interference through online platforms

High – Compromises national security

Medium

NBI, PNP, DFA

- Work with global cybersecurity partners - Monitor and restrict coordinated foreign troll networks

- Diplomatic action with countries of origin - Geo-tagging and source tracing mechanisms

Deepfakes and AI-manipulated media

Medium – Spreads fake news effectively

Increasing

DICT, NBI

- Develop AI tools to detect synthetic media - Collaborate with tech companies

- Train local teams in deepfake detection - Launch "AI Watchdog" systems

Conclusion

In the face of disinformation’s growing influence, the Philippine government must leverage emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and digital forensic science while ensuring legal frameworks evolve in step. Public-private partnerships with tech companies, international coordination, and grassroots education efforts will also be key. The battle against disinformation is not solely a technical challenge—it is a fight for truth, democracy, and social cohesion in the digital age.

References

Global and Regional Risk Context

1. World Economic Forum. (2024). Global Risks Report 2024: Insight Report. https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-risks-report-2024/

   • Highlights the growing impact of misinformation/disinformation globally, particularly in digitally saturated countries like the Philippines.

2. Statista Research Department. (2023). Philippines: Social Media Penetration Rate 2022-2023.

   • Notes the Philippines has a social media penetration rate of over 80%, making it highly susceptible to disinformation flows.
     https://www.statista.com/statistics/489206/philippines-social-network-penetration/

---

National Context and Government Response

3. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). (2023). National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2022–2028.

   • Outlines national strategies against digital threats including online disinformation.
     https://dict.gov.ph/ncsp/ https://cms-cdn.e.gov.ph/DICT/pdf/NCSP-2023-2028-FINAL-DICT.pdf

4. Commission on Elections (COMELEC). (2022). COMELEC Election Guidelines on Online Campaigns and Disinformation.

   • Policies on regulating digital campaign content and combating fake news during elections.
     https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1160202

5. Presidential Communications Office (PCO). (2023). PCO Launches Real-time Fact-Checking Initiative vs. Disinformation.

   • Announcement of government efforts to centralize truth verification in social media.
     https://pco.gov.ph https://pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pco-inks-moa-with-cicc-to-fight-fake-news/ 

6. Department of Education (DepEd) & Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2021). Media and Information Literacy Curriculum Guide.

   • Details the integration of critical thinking, media awareness, and digital discernment in basic education.
     https://www.deped.gov.ph https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/SHS-Core_Media-and-Information-Literacy-CG.pdf

7. UNESCO. (2021). Disinformation for Profit: The Rise of Troll Armies and Influence Operations in Southeast Asia.

   • Discusses troll networks, algorithmic manipulation, and youth exposure in countries like the Philippines.
     https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377223

8. Quilinguing, K. G., & Quilinguing, K. G. (2024, April 2). Facts vs Fakes: UP fact-checking initiatives against disinformation - University of the Philippines. University of the Philippines -. https://up.edu.ph/facts-vs-fakes-up-fact-checking-initiatives-against-disinformation/

9. Villeza, M. E. (2025, March 16). NBI to monitor deepfakes, fake news ahead of polls. Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2025/03/17/2428956/nbi-monitor-deepfakes-fake-news-ahead-polls 

•                         Https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/03/25/NBI-taps-new-agents-vs-crybercrimes-and-fake-news-peddlers/. (n.d.).

---

10. Cooke, D., Edwards, A., Day, A., Nair, D., Barkoff, S., & Kelly, K. (2024). Crossing the deepfake Rubicon. https://www.csis.org/analysis/crossing-deepfake-rubicon

11. Mozilla Foundation. (2022). YouTube Algorithm and Disinformation in the Global South. Study on how recommendation engines trap users in radical or misleading content loops.

• https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/research https://assets.mofoprod.net/network/documents/Mozilla_YouTube_Regrets_Report.pdf