Solon seeks stronger gov’t messaging

Solon seeks stronger gov’t messaging | Daily Tribune

Senator Loren Legarda, sponsor of the 2026 budget for the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), highlighted in plenary on Tuesday the urgency of countering misinformation and rehabilitating the facilities of state-run People’s Television Network (PTV‑4).

She stressed that clear, truthful, and coordinated messaging must be the foundation of public information.

“Messaging is so important. Disinformation, misinformation, inaccuracy, and messages lost in translation confuse the people,” Legarda said. “Even with good intentions, if you say it incorrectly or deliberately try to confuse, then that is wrong.”

She emphasized that messaging should come from a single, vetted, and reliable source to maintain clarity and public trust.

Messaging source must be clear

“There must be a clear source of messaging. Only one person should issue the message; no one else may issue it. No one should be speaking without vetting, without verification. Not knowing is unacceptable. Not coordinating is unacceptable,” Legarda said.

With fake news and disinformation campaigns increasingly threatening the public discourse, Legarda strongly supported institutional reforms. She expressed openness to supporting measures such as the proposed Anti-Troll Farm Act and the Freedom of Information bill, noting that these initiatives would empower the public with access to accurate information and help dismantle organized networks of online deception.

Turning to the state of PTV-4, Legarda acknowledged the network’s deteriorating facilities and the longstanding welfare concerns of its employees.

“It’s clearly mismanaged. And for the past years, no capital outlay was given by the government,” she noted, pointing to the urgent need for its rehabilitation. She agreed to explore options for capital outlay funding and even suggested that the lawmakers could personally contribute to making improvements if permitted by the Commission on Audit.

“If there are three studios, if it’s affordable, we can sponsor it, but we pay as a personal gift or donation if CoA would allow it,” she said.

It may be recalled that Legarda worked as a journalist in the 1980s with Maharlika Broadcasting Company (MBC), which had since evolved into PTV-4.

In 2013, Legarda principally authored and co‑sponsored Republic Act 10390, or the Act Revitalizing the People’s Television Network Inc. (PTV), which amended the PTV Charter to authorize the network to generate revenue from advertising and airtime sales, with all proceeds dedicated exclusively to operations and capital expenditures, ensuring the sustainability and viability of the national broadcaster.