PCO inks deal with major newspapers

THE Presidential Communications Office (PCO) wants to institutionalize a multi-sectoral framework to combat digital disinformation as it formalized a partnership with several of the country’s leading broadsheets on Wednesday.

Dubbed “Oplan Kontra Fake News,” the initiative seeks to establish a unified framework for verifying social media claims and ensuring accountability in the digital space.

PCO Acting Secretary Dave M. Gomez led the signing of a memorandum of understanding at Malacañang, joined by publishers from nine major newspapers, including BusinessWorld, The Philippine Star, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and The Manila Times.

The agreement defines fake news as content lacking factual basis, deliberately deceptive, and capable of causing public harm, such as panic, reputational damage, or interference in democratic processes.

Under the agreement, the PCO has established a dedicated Anti-Fake News Desk to evaluate reports of misleading content.

Verified cases of disinformation will be referred to the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Justice for “prompt and proper action,” according to PCO.

“Fake news is already widespread, especially on social media; many are already believing and being deceived by it,” Mr. Gomez said in a speech in Filipino. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking