Disinformation 'weaponized' by Marcos, Duterte camps

Disinformation's Deadly Game How Marcos and Duterte Camps 'Weaponized' the Truth

As the 2025 senatorial race intensifies in the Philippines, a new breed of disinformation has emerged, pitting the Marcos and Duterte camps against each other in a battle for public opinion. Legal and academic experts have warned that both sides have weaponized disinformation to launch attacks at each other, creating a toxic environment where truth is sacrificed at the altar of political gain.

Tony La Viña, founding president of the Movement Against Disinformation (MAD), and JM Lanuza, assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Manila and lead researcher at the First Digital Research Center, shed light on the inner workings and key players behind the country's disinformation networks. According to La Viña, the same machinery that once propelled strongman-style campaigns to victory is now being used in a fratricidal war.

The Rise of Strategic Disinformation

La Viña and Lanuza exposed the striking trend of strategic, coordinated disinformation following the International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest order against former president Rodrigo Duterte. There was a sharp rise in public support for pro-Duterte senatorial bets, with even candidates lacking meaningful legislative experience continuing to rank high in polls.

It's not just disinformation, La Viña emphasized. That's populism. Media figures like the Tulfos understand narrative framing. It's charisma — not competence — that keeps them in the lead.

Populism and Troll-Driven Attacks

Lanuza noted that these manipulated narratives, troll-driven spikes in candidate rankings, and targeted AI-generated smear campaigns have become the new normal in Philippine politics.

What's ironic is that the same actors who benefited from disinformation in past elections — Duterte's camp and now the Marcos administration — are now turning these weapons against each other, La Viña said. The guns they once aimed outward are now turned inward.

Challenges Ahead Countering Disinformation

Despite recent high-profile arrests, both experts remain skeptical about the ability of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 to counter large-scale fake news operations.

It's a robust law, La Viña acknowledged, but it's a double-edged sword. Unless you go after the architects — the financiers and strategists — you're only scratching the surface.

The Role of Social Media Platforms

La Viña emphasized that fact-checking remains crucial, even if often too slow to stem the tide.

By the time you've verified a lie, it's already gone viral, he said. Social media platforms take hours — sometimes weeks — to act. By then, it's too late. And they profit from it.

The Need for Critical Thinking

Lanuza stressed that people trust what they see first, and if it confirms their biases, they'll believe it. He emphasized the psychological traps of online disinformation and the need to build critical thinking, especially among Gen Z and millennials who rely on TikTok for news.

We've already seen AI-generated attacks on progressive candidates like Risa Hontiveros, Lanuza noted. It's not widespread yet, but it's targeted — and dangerous.

Conclusion A Call to Action

As the 2025 senatorial race unfolds, it is clear that disinformation has become a deadly game in Philippine politics. La Viña and Lanuza urge for structural reforms, including abolishing the NTF-Elcac and establishing transparent systems for campaign financing.

Legacy media has become an ally in this fight against fake news, but ultimately, the solution must remain grounded in local realities.

If there's one lesson from Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, La Viña concluded, it's that ground campaigns still matter. Social media can spread lies in seconds — but small, honest conversations in barangay can still win hearts and minds.

In this toxic environment where truth is sacrificed at the altar of political gain, it is crucial to build critical thinking, support fact-checking initiatives, and demand transparency from social media platforms.

Recommendations for Action

1. Structural Reforms Advocate for abolishing the NTF-Elcac and establishing transparent systems for campaign financing.
2. Fact-Checking Initiatives Support local fact-checking efforts to counter the spread of disinformation.
3. Critical Thinking Encourage people, especially Gen Z and millennials, to develop critical thinking skills by engaging in open discussions and verifying information before sharing it.

By taking these steps, we can combat the deadly game of disinformation and restore truth and integrity to Philippine politics.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

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