PCO endorses 3 social media accounts to NBI over alleged fake news on Marcos health

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Wednesday has endorsed three social media accounts to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which will forward the case to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), for investigation over the alleged spread of misinformation regarding the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

PCO Director Robertzon Ramirez confirmed the endorsement during an ambush interview on Wednesday, saying the accounts were identified through the agency’s anti-fake news desk as part of ongoing efforts to curb online disinformation.

The move follows the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), PCO, and DOJ, which strengthens interagency coordination in addressing the spread of fake news online.

DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said the narrative report submitted by the PCO specifically flagged three social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading false claims about the President’s health.

“The PCO submitted the endorsement of its narrative report on three social media accounts perpetuating fake news or misinformation about the health of the president,” Martinez said.

He noted that one of the recurring false narratives online involved claims that Marcos was ill, which the government has repeatedly denied.

“So one of the fake news being perpetuated, rampantly and prevalently recently… is the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. And so to put a stop to this, a narrative report was endorsed to the DOJ,” he added.

The PCO identified the accounts as those operated under the names Eloy Bugris, The Queen of Revelations, and Regundola Ping and Craig Anderpal, based on information provided by the PCO.

When asked about the background of the account holders, Ramirez said they describe themselves as ‘vloggers’ who allegedly promote various causes, including content claiming the President has a medical condition.

Meanwhile, Martinez clarified that the endorsement submitted by the PCO is not a formal criminal complaint, but rather a referral that will be evaluated by the DOJ before being transmitted to the NBI for investigation.

“The DOJ cannot be a formal complainant or private complainant. The PCO has endorsed it to us, and in turn, the DOJ will refer it to the proper investigative agency, which is the NBI,” he said.

The NBI is expected to review the submitted materials to determine whether there is sufficient basis to file criminal charges against those involved.

Martinez added that similar actions had been taken in previous cases involving misinformation, including reports about a supposed national energy emergency.

The PCO-led newly launched interagency framework is intended to ensure faster response against the spread of false information online, particularly content that could mislead the public on sensitive national issues.

The DOJ said the referral will be acted on “as soon as possible,” though no specific timeline was provided for the start of the NBI investigation.

“At the soonest time po no. Once it's with us, wala na pong gagawin diyan ang DOJ except to refer it to the NBI,” Martinez said.