Filipinos Distrust Politicians as Top Source of Online Disinformation Amidst Marcos-Duterte Rivalry
A recent study by the Reuters Institute Digital News Report has revealed a growing distrust among Filipinos towards their political leaders, identifying them as the primary source of disinformation online. This alarming trend coincides with escalating political tensions between the camps of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte. The report, which surveyed over 97,000 people across 48 territories, found that 55% of Filipino respondents pointed to politicians as the major propagators of false information, surpassing online influencers, activists, journalists, and foreign governments. This figure significantly exceeds the global average, where politicians and influencers were equally blamed at 47% each. The report emphasizes that disinformation has surged in the Philippines in the past year, fueled by the widening rift between Marcos Jr. and Duterte, culminating in impeachment attempts and legal battles involving Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The findings underscore a growing weariness among Filipinos towards what experts describe as a "sustained, organized" operation of disinformation networks often echoing the rhetoric of politicians. One example cited involves the dissemination of identical social media posts falsely characterizing the ICC’s potential arrest of former President Duterte as a "kidnapping," mirroring statements made by his children, some of whom hold elected office. This pattern exemplifies how disinformation campaigns, originating from political figures and their supporters, manipulate public perception and erode trust in institutions. The report’s timing, coinciding with the 2025 midterm election campaign period, further highlights the vulnerability of the democratic process to manipulation through online falsehoods. The survey revealed a concerning rise in Filipinos’ apprehension about disinformation, escalating from 63% in 2024 to 67% in 2025.
Adding another layer of complexity to the disinformation landscape is the emergence of AI-generated content. The report highlights an incident where two Duterte allies shared a deepfake video portraying fabricated interviews with students criticizing moves to impeach Vice-President Duterte. While the video was debunked by fact-checkers, the senator who shared it dismissed concerns, prioritizing the message over the authenticity of the source. This incident reflects a troubling trend where some politicians demonstrate a lack of understanding and concern about the potential harm of AI-generated disinformation. Experts warn that this disregard for the veracity of information poses a significant threat to public discourse and democratic processes.
Beyond the domestic political arena, the South China Sea maritime dispute adds another dimension to the disinformation challenge. Philippine officials have raised concerns about alleged Chinese disinformation campaigns aimed at swaying public opinion on the territorial dispute. These campaigns often exploit nationalistic sentiments, further complicating the already sensitive issue. While pro-China narratives have been observed among some online content creators aligned with the Dutertes, analysts maintain that domestically generated disinformation stemming from local political rivalries remains the more pressing concern.
President Marcos Jr. himself has called for vigilance against disinformation amidst the fraught political climate. However, researchers have documented long-standing disinformation campaigns aimed at revising the historical narrative surrounding the martial law period under his father’s rule. These campaigns, which benefited Marcos Jr.’s presidential bid, underscore the deeply entrenched nature of disinformation and its potential to reshape public memory and influence electoral outcomes.
In response to the pervasive disinformation threat, experts emphasize the need for increased media literacy among Filipinos. They advocate for the integration of fact-checking and critical thinking skills into the educational curriculum, empowering citizens to discern credible information from fabricated narratives. Continued fact-checking efforts by news organizations are also crucial in combating the spread of false information. Ultimately, a multi-pronged approach involving education, media literacy, and responsible online behavior is essential to navigating the increasingly complex information landscape and safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes in the Philippines. The challenge lies in equipping citizens with the critical thinking skills necessary to identify and resist manipulation in the digital age.