The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to strengthen coordination against fake news, disinformation, and AI-generated deepfakes.
The agreement, signed by Acting Presidential Communications Secretary Dave M. Gomez, DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda, and Acting Justice Secretary Frederick A. Vida, establishes a whole-of-government approach to curb false information that threatens public safety, national security, and democratic institutions.
After the MOA signing held at the DOJ office, Gomez underscored the urgency of the initiative, saying, “We are confronting a rapidly evolving information landscape where truth is increasingly vulnerable to distortion and manipulation.”
The PCO chief emphasized that the effort protects public discourse, adding, “This initiative is not about curtailing free expression, but about safeguarding the Filipino people from malicious actors who exploit technology to deceive and divide.”
The MOA mandates joint efforts to detect, investigate, and prosecute deliberate online falsehoods under existing laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
For his part, Vida said, “Today marks a pivotal step in safeguarding our democracy from the shadows of digital disinformation.”
Vida warned that “Digitally mediated falsehoods… have emerged as potent weapons against our national stability.”
The acting justice secretary noted that enforcement will respect rights, saying, “Our commitment is clear: proactive defense, not overreach. We draw a firm line between criminal disinformation and protected speech.”
Secretary Aguda highlighted the evolving nature of threats, noting, “Hindi na ito simpleng tsismis. Ngayon, kasinungalingan can look real… divide, and erode public trust when clarity is most needed.”
Aguda emphasized shared accountability, adding, “This is not just government acting on its own. This is a national responsibility.”
The PCO will lead government communications, advisories, and media literacy campaigns, while the DICT will engage technology platforms, strengthen cybersecurity, and support reporting systems such as eGovPH.
On the other hand, the DOJ will evaluate cases for prosecution and coordinate international action against transnational disinformation.
An inter-agency steering committee will oversee implementation, ensure data protection, and publish annual reports.
The MOA affirms that all actions will uphold constitutional freedoms while promoting transparency, accountability, and public awareness.