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Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro in an interview at DZMM on April 12, 2026. (Screengrab from DZMM Teleradyo)
Malacañang on Sunday clarified that the planned “fake news tracker” platform will focus solely on addressing malicious disinformation and online scams, stressing it will not be used to restrict legitimate freedom of expression or criticism.
In an interview with DZMM, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government welcomes genuine criticism and public sentiment but will act against the spread of false information.
She emphasized that there are no limits on free speech except in cases involving disinformation.
“Hindi ito hinahadlangan ‘yung karapatan ng bawat isa ng bawat tao ng kanilang freedom of expression. Pero ‘pag nakita nating malisyoso, fake news, walang pinanggagalingan talaga, ang balak lang ay manira ng administrasyon ng mga public officials, ‘yun ang titingnan natin,” Castro said.
(This does not hinder the right of each person to their freedom of expression. But if we see malicious, fake news, with no real source, the only intention is to discredit the administration of public officials, that is what we will look into.)
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) earlier announced on Friday that it would launch a website where the public can report alleged fake news.
Castro said she would coordinate with PCO Acting Secretary Dave Gomez on the design and safeguards of the proposed platform, underscoring the need to prevent its misuse.
She said the initiative is primarily aimed at addressing baseless content targeting the government.
The Palace official also dismissed claims circulating online that a recent public appearance by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Bataan was fabricated using artificial intelligence.
“Alam natin, tayo mismo, taga-media. Alam natin kung ano ‘yung totoo at hindi eh. Pero ang pinapakalat nila talaga ay taliwa sa katotohanan. Makikita mo naman agad eh,” she said.
(We know, we ourselves, from the media. We know what is true and what is not. But what they are spreading is actually the opposite of the truth. You will see it right away.)
Castro said authorities could distinguish between innocent remarks and deliberate attempts to mislead the public, noting that legal action may be pursued against those who intentionally spread false information.
“You can draw the line eh. Kung saan kung saan mo pwedeng sampahan ‘yung kaso, ‘yung taong alam mong hindi lang basta nag-inosenteng nagsabi ng ganito kundi alam mong intensyonal. May intensyon na magbigay ng maling impormasyon sa ating mga kababayan,” she said.
(You can draw the line. Where can you file a case, the person you know didn’t just say something innocently but you know it was intentional. There was an intention to give false information to our countrymen.)
She added that the government would seek assistance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in addressing disinformation, warning that its unchecked spread can no longer be tolerated.
Castro noted that while misinformation in the past could be countered through government clarifications, recent cases appear more coordinated and persistent.
Asked about possible motives behind the spread of fake news, she suggested that some actors may be attempting to divert public attention from issues such as corruption by redirecting criticism toward the administration and portraying alternative figures as untainted.
Without naming individuals or groups, she also raised questions about the sources of disinformation and urged the public to consider who benefits from such narratives.
“The problem is wala kasing issue. Gumagawa sila ng issue. Alam naman natin kung sino ba ‘yung expert sa paggawa ng intriga, pagplanta ng ebidensya. ‘Di ba? Ito, itong kagalingan nitong pagplanta ng ebidensya mukhang naibagsak na niya sa kanyang mga trolls, sa kanyang mga kaalyado kaya ngayon namamayagpag sa paggagawa ng fake news,” she added.
(The problem is there is no issue. They are creating an issue. We know who the expert is in creating intrigue, planting evidence. Right? This skill of planting evidence seems to have been passed on to his trolls, to his allies, and now they are thriving in creating fake news.)
Castro also said President Marcos is expected to announce recommendations on fuel excise taxes on Monday, April 13.
Earlier, the Malacañang Press Corps rejected claims that its members were being paid or used to conceal the President’s health condition, stressing that their reports are based on verified information from official sources.
For his part, Mr. Marcos dismissed rumors about his health while acknowledging that he continues efforts to maintain his physical fitness. — Katrina Manubay
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
