After the People Power Revolution ousted Ferdinand Marcos, the Filipinos vowed that neither the Marcoses nor the tyranny of martial law would ever return to Malacañang Palace. About forty decades later, the astonishing landslide victory of Bongbong Marcos Jr., made a dramatic comeback to the presidency. This has ignited protests, with Filipinos fighting against the Marcoses’ use of online disinformation as cornerstone of their political resurgence. With the very essence of democracy hanging in the balance, it becomes imperative for the nation to confront the escalating menace of online disinformation.
The erosion of information integrity, particularly evident during the 2022 Philippine elections, has severely compromised democratic norms and undermined the credibility of our electoral processes. A staggering revelation unfolds: nearly half of all adult Filipinos are now reliant on digital channels for news consumption, with a striking 72% stating Facebook as their primary news source. This electoral juncture carries far-reaching implications, not only for the political landscape of the country but also for its democratic trajectory, which has witnessed significant regressions in recent years. The rise of digital platforms as information hubs amplifies the risk of polarization, militarization of politics, and the erosion of institutional integrity. Driven by the proliferation of trolls, fake news, and the orchestrated shaping of online narratives, the country has continuously experienced democratic backsliding since the last decade.
For instance, a narrative circulating on social media posits that Ferdinand Marcos Sr. amassed his vast fortune through a payment of 192,000 tons of gold from the fictitious Tallano royal family of the Maharlika Kingdom for his legal services. This narrative, however, is pure disinformation. This is a wake up call! Time and again, the atrocities of the Marcos dictatorship are backed by evidence from courts in both the United States and the Philippines. The Maharlika Kingdom and the Tallano family are fabrications. Marcos’ wealth is more accurately attributed to kleptocracy and the systematic embezzlement of state funds during his regime, as corroborated by multiple judicial verdicts both domestically and internationally. Interestingly, while the mention of the “World Street Journal” raises eyebrows, it appears to be a misinterpretation, as the reputable U.S.-based newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, has confirmed to Rappler that they never made such a reference in their publication. Even the Philippine government took action by setting up the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board, allocating a significant amount of P10 billion to compensate the victims: 72,000 detained, 34,000 tortured, and 3,240 killed under Marcos’ rule.
To illustrate better, President Bongbong Marcos boasts that he graduated from Oxford and Wharton in his resume, yet these acclaimed institutions have no record of his attendance.
As you strive for your degree, consider this: if our President can fabricate credentials, perhaps a diploma from the bustling streets of Recto holds just as much weight, does it not?
My fellow Filipinos, we elected a President with fake credentials.
Now, what about it? What implications does this hold for Philippine democracy?
The rampant dissemination of disinformation and historical distortions on digital platforms poses a serious existential challenge to the country’s democratic foundation. The unchecked proliferation of misleading narratives, operating without regulation or ethical scrutiny, risks distorting public perception, influencing voting patterns, and undermining political results. Moreover, the insidious dissemination of online allegations concerning poll irregularities and electoral fraud not only undermines public trust in the Philippines’ Commission on Elections but also erodes confidence in the electoral process itself. Of particular concern is the unchecked proliferation of disinformation on social media, which disproportionately target impressionable younger demographics. Such misinformation not only corrupts the minds of the youth but also jeopardizes the future trajectory of Philippine democracy, paving the way for the ascent of authoritarian figures who exploit such vulnerabilities for their gain.
So, what to do?
In the fight for democracy in the Philippines, the solution is cliche and simple: teach people to tell the truth from lies, hold leaders accountable, and push for honesty in governance. However, it falls upon all Filipinos to champion democracy, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that the people’s voices shape the nation’s future. Through collective action and dedication to democratic principles, we can overcome current challenges and forge a society that is more inclusive, just, and democratic for future generations. As Juan Felix, Program Manager for Research and Social Analysis at the human rights emphasize, “While fact-checking and digital literacy efforts are important, captivating narratives are essential to truly capture hearts and minds.”
Indeed, cliche. But blind acceptance of information is no longer an option. Whether from traditional media or trusted sources, it is important to exercise discernment in evaluating all information. The Filipino masses have been influenced by historical revisionism of the Pro-Marcos apologists, invalidating the oppression and negating countless abuses, as they continuously enforce and propagate histories to be at parallel odds. At the height of these outright lies, next time cry, “Never Forget. Never Again”.
And by ‘next time,’ I am referring to the looming 2025 elections.
I agree, Julianna. Disinformation has indeed undermined the legitimacy of our elections. Can we still say that our elections are both free and fair if the social media platforms plagued by false information have already influenced and distorted our perceptions of the candidates? The anarchic flow of information in these platforms has permitted the mythmaking and resurgence of the Marcoses. Hence, we must further demand the big tech companies like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Tiktok to actively regulate their platforms and weed out false narratives. In this era of information, we simply cannot rely solely on the ability of the people to think critically because the vast information that bombard us on a daily basis is just too much for us to process thoroughly. Furthermore, the press can also infiltrate the social media platforms to make their news more palatable and close to people, especially the youth. Actually, this is already being done by Rappler here in the Philippines. They are making short informative videos that omit grandiose technical presentation to display a sense of authenticity that netizens prefer more than the traditional format of delivering news. I hope that in the upcoming elections, we can be more empathetic toward our fellow Filipinos and more critical of the information on the internet.
Insightful work! I enjoyed reading your article, especially the section discussing the effects of disinformation on Philippine democracy. In an increasingly digital world, disinformation is becoming a major issue affecting the present and future political landscape. The challenge for most nations lies in combating disinformation. I agree that your proposed solution regarding digital literacy and demanding accountability and transparency is a step in the right direction. However, it is difficult given that the administration and social media networks are incentivized to manufacture and spread disinformation and polarizing narratives. On top of this, new technology (e.g., AI manipulation) has made it more difficult to fact-check disinformation. It is interesting to see how the Philippines will fight disinformation now that the 2025 elections are just around the corner. Will there be legislation against it? How can social media sites be held accountable? How do we strike a balance in fighting disinformation without resorting to anti-democratic means (e.g., censorship)?