On Tuesday, April 7, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) formally requested the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate a Facebook page responsible for spreading fabricated information regarding the country’s energy situation.
Acting on the orders of the Chief Executive, the PCO took legal steps against online platforms peddling disinformation. “Today, upon the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Presidential Communications Office is giving teeth to our warning,” PCO Secretary Dave M. Gomez said in a statement read to reporters after the filing.
The PCO endorsement specifically singled out the Facebook page “Malasakit News Pilipinas.” The page stands accused of publishing fabricated reports intended to incite public panic, create confusion, and undermine public welfare and safety during a period Gomez had earlier described as an energy emergency.
Gomez stated that the PCO has asked the DOJ to look into at least three specific posts and identify the individuals behind their creation and dissemination. The cited posts included deceptive claims of an impending energy lockdown to trick the public into buying solar panels, a fake fuel shortage meant to trigger panic buying of gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and a fabricated emergency lockdown attributed to a non-existent COVID-19 “Cicada variant.”
“All these posts are blatant lies and fabrications that fall under the definition of false news,” Gomez said.
He emphasized that publishing false news is punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, which carries penalties of up to six months imprisonment. He further noted that stiffer penalties apply if the act is committed online, in accordance with the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
These deceptive posts were intercepted by the PCO’s Anti-Fake News Desk, a unit established following the launch of “Oplan Kontra Fake News” last month. The agency has already submitted the findings of its initial investigation to the DOJ to facilitate a deeper probe and the potential filing of court charges.
Reaffirming the government’s strict stance against online disinformation, Gomez issued a stern reminder to the public. “Any attempt to mislead the public about the energy security, supply, or pricing to sow confusion will be treated as a serious offense,” he said.
The PCO also warned that those spreading fabricated stories involving the First Family could face similar legal consequences. “No one will be spared. Basta mapatunayan naming fake news [As long as we can prove it is fake news], we will file charges against them,” Gomez said.
To combat this, the government is currently intensifying its monitoring of social media and information ecosystems to actively detect and neutralize disinformation campaigns.
“Our ultimate obligation is to safeguard the stability of energy supply, protect consumers, and uphold the public’s right to true and accurate information,” Gomez said.|
