The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is intensifying its fight against fake news with regular press briefings and upcoming live discussions with guests from various government sectors who can clarify current issues.

Recently, following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the PCO found itself at the center of a fake news storm, including false information circulating about the situation involving First Lady Liza Marcos.

“This is very obvious that more fake news are lingering, maybe because of the present situation regarding the arrest of former President Duterte,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang on Monday.

“We are taking steps; like what we had last week, we had this live discussion with the concerned authorities to answer all those issues that had been raised by some people from the mainstream and also from social media,” she added.

On Thursday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre III, Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty, and Philippine National Police Spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo sat down for a live discussion to address the events that led to Duterte’s arrest.

The PCO plans to engage in more such events, and according to Castro, this will allow the public to distinguish between fake news and factual information.

Castro urged the public to “observe, think, and learn to evaluate” stories circulating on social media to avoid confusion.

She also said the PCO is collaborating with other government agencies in the fight against fake news.

“Yes, we will communicate, especially since fake news is really increasing, distorting the truth,” she said.

While the PCO remains committed to these actions, including plans to file cases against purveyors of misinformation, Castro said the office is still evaluating the situation.

Free speech, inciting to sedition, cases vs fake news?

Duterte’s arrest sparked divisiveness among Filipinos as supporters of both former President Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. clashed on social media.

Some Duterte followers have criticized Marcos, urged him to resign, and called for a rally similar to the EDSA People Power Revolution. Meanwhile, Marcos supporters have defended the President and challenged critics of the current administration.

Given this, is it the right time to draw a line between free speech and inciting sedition? The Palace shared some considerations.

“As we can say, the president is not onion-skinned, okay. Usually, he doesn't get carried away like that. But when that element of inciting to sedition is there, which is of course without any tumultuous uprising but they are encouraging people to sow hatred toward the government, toward the President, then we have to step up,” she said.

Castro said the PCO will only take action through filing cases and complaints. However, as of now, Marcos has not expressed any intention to pursue this course of action.

Meanwhile, Castro urged mainstream media to help fight the proliferation of fake news.

“You are the ones who can tell if it’s fake [news], you are the ones who can do the fact-checking, you are also being believed because you have credibility. So if there is any fake news that comes out, let’s work together; this is for the people,” she told members of the media.

She also called on the media to check on the victims of extrajudicial killings (EJK) and their families.

“We will not only focus on former President Duterte because the victims of EJK are also Filipinos,” she said.