Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to gain ground in the Philippines — from everyday mobile use to viral online controversies — prompting calls for both regulation and national direction.

One such incident drew public criticism last week when a local official in Tuguegarao City was accused of using AI to generate a prayer, sparking backlash in the predominantly Christian nation. Critics called the move "insincere," reigniting debates over the role of AI in public and religious life.

Amid rising concerns, the Marcos administration has renewed its commitment to developing a national AI strategy. According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently met with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to discuss the formulation of a national framework on AI.

“The President had a sectoral meeting on 20 May 2025 with the DOST and they discussed the national artificial intelligence strategy for the Philippines. And now they are working on a framework and also developing hubs that focus on understanding artificial intelligence,” she said.

She added that President Marcos wants continuous study on the benefits, risks, and best practices surrounding AI. The DOST, she noted, will regularly submit policy recommendations and research on AI usage.

In the same month, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that innovation must be accessible, ethical and responsive to real societal needs.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. earlier said the agency’s proposed National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph) aims to ensure that innovation is ethical, accessible, and responsive to real societal needs. The long-term goal, he said, is to empower inclusive innovation, governance, and globally competitive industries.

The strategy involves partnerships with various government departments—including Education, Trade, Labor, Agriculture, Defense, and ICT—and the private sector to build a cohesive AI ecosystem. Preparations began this year, with implementation phases expected to continue beyond 2028.

Palace renews warning vs. fake news

With President Marcos’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) drawing near, the Palace also reiterated its crackdown on misinformation.

“Firstly, the government will continue working against fake news so it can be reduced or stopped,” Castro said.

She appealed to traditional and digital media outlets to help detect and report fake information, calling them critical partners in alerting the public.