*Dr. Rodolfo John Ortiz Teope
I still
remember when the internet first arrived in the Philippines—when it felt like a
portal to learning, global connection, and democratized conversation. On March
29, 1994, our country was officially connected to the global internet, thanks
to the efforts of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the
Philippine Network Foundation (PHNet), and a collaboration with the University
of San Carlos and ComNet (DOST-ICTO, 2014). We were the first Southeast Asian
nation to establish a direct link to the global internet, and back then, it was
a source of hope.
Fast
forward to today, and it feels as though we are living in a very different
digital reality—one where the internet has become a battleground for truth. We
are not at war in the conventional sense, but make no mistake: we are caught in
a silent, invisible war—a war of information. And the battleground? Our
screens, our timelines, and the very platforms that once helped us find family,
friends, and facts.
This war is not merely about differing political opinions. It is a struggle for control—over memory, over narratives, and ultimately, over the future of our nation. It pits the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) of the Marcos Jr. administration against Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS)—a former ally faction that has now evolved into a powerful and vocal opposition force online. As these two camps clash, ordinary Filipinos find themselves dazed and disoriented in a digital storm of fake news, toxic polarization, political trolling, and systematic disinformation.
A Family Feud with National Consequences
The
division between the PCO and the DDS wasn’t always this stark. In fact, many
DDS influencers—vloggers, online personalities, and political strategists—once
played key roles in Rodrigo Duterte’s rise to power. These were the very same
people who flooded the digital space with “change is coming” slogans and
pro-Duterte content during the 2016 elections. Today, many of them have shifted
into adversarial roles, accusing the PCO of rewriting or whitewashing Duterte’s
legacy.
It is akin
to watching a family feud play out on a national stage, but with dangerous
implications. This internal battle of influence now dominates digital media,
especially on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. The consequence? A misinformed
public, deeply polarized communities, and a democracy that is being steadily
hollowed out.
The Rise of Disinformation—And Why We Fell for It
Disinformation
is not a new phenomenon, but today’s version is vastly more sophisticated. Gone
are the days when fake news was easy to spot—today, lies come dressed in the
clothing of legitimacy. They mimic real news articles, quote out-of-context
statistics, and are shared by people who look like your neighbor or friend.
Disinformation
is also deeply emotional. It’s designed to provoke outrage, fear, or pride.
This is why many of us have unknowingly forwarded or shared false content—a
meme, a screenshot, a video clip. It taps into our emotions before we get the
chance to think critically.
According
to a 2022 Social Weather Stations (SWS) report, 78% of Filipinos regularly
encounter fake news, primarily through social media (SWS, 2022). Alarmingly,
many cannot distinguish between credible and fake sources. The speed of lies
surpasses the speed of truth, and by the time fact-checkers correct the
narrative, the falsehood has already gone viral.
Social Media: Mirror, Manipulator, and Battlefield
Initially
hailed as tools of empowerment, social media platforms have transformed into
manipulators of public thought. Their algorithms prioritize sensational,
emotionally charged content—not accuracy. This leads to a digital environment
where outrage gets rewarded and nuance gets buried.
In the
Philippines, the dominance of Facebook and YouTube is especially pronounced.
Influencers with millions of followers operate like independent media outlets,
often without any editorial accountability. Misinformation flourishes when
popularity trumps professionalism.
When
traditional media outlets like ABS-CBN tried to push back or deliver fact-based
reporting, they were labeled as biased—or worse, punished. The refusal of the
Duterte administration to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise in 2020 was more than a
legal matter—it was a clear political warning: challenge the narrative, and you
will be silenced.
Trolls Are Not Just Annoying—They Are Architects of
Division
Online
trolls in the Philippines are not merely random frustrated users—they are organized socmed consultants of political machinery. They launch coordinated campaigns, distort narratives,
and amplify propaganda. Their job is to control the narrative and suppress
dissent.
This troll
ecosystem plays a major role in the ongoing PCO vs. DDS conflict. For instance,
vloggers like Sass Rogando Sasot and Trixie Cruz-Angeles, once staunch
defenders of the administration, are now vocal critics of Marcos Jr.’s
communication strategy. They challenge the PCO’s messaging while defending the
Duterte legacy, often using social media to drive a wedge between their
followers and other political blocs.
This
creates an ecosystem where truth becomes optional, and political loyalty
becomes a currency for influence and power.
When Truth Becomes a Casualty
The impact
of this information war extends beyond cyberspace. It is reshaping how
Filipinos think, engage, and vote.
First, this
war has led to deep societal polarization. Political identities like “DDS,”
“Kakampink,” or “Marcos Loyalist” have become tribal labels, reducing our
shared Filipino identity to partisan echo chambers.
Second, it
has weakened civic engagement and democratic discourse. Instead of discussing
national policy or global economics, online debates focus on who embarrassed
whom in a viral video. Critical thought is replaced by reactionary fandom.
Third, the
credibility of public institutions has been severely compromised. People now
doubt the judiciary, the Church, the press, the schools—even their own
communities. In such an environment, manipulation thrives and public trust
deteriorates.
Perhaps the
most heartbreaking consequence is its effect on young people. Raised in a
digital environment of cynicism and misinformation, many of our youth are
growing up believing that truth is relative, that political influence is more
important than ethical leadership, and that popularity equals credibility.
Disinformation is an Economic Issue Too
While
disinformation is largely discussed as a political problem, it also has
far-reaching economic implications.
Firstly,
when foreign investors observe instability, propaganda-driven governance, and a
compromised media environment, they grow hesitant. Why would they invest in a
country where policy direction is influenced by social media influencers?
Secondly,
many trolls and content manipulators are exploited laborers. Often from
impoverished communities, they are professionals to spread lies without
contracts, health benefits, or accountability. These individuals are digital
cannon fodder, trapped in an exploitative gig economy.
Third, the
Philippines’ global reputation is at risk. Being branded as a “fake news
capital” damages our attractiveness to foreign businesses, travelers, and
international partners. Even our booming BPO sector, which thrives on global
trust, may be affected if clients perceive our information environment as
unreliable.
Is There a Way Out?
Yes—but not
without cultural transformation. Fixing this problem is not just about banning
troll farms or creating new laws. It is about rethinking how we, as a nation,
engage with truth.
1.
Digital and Media Literacy
Education must be at the core of this transformation. Schools should not only
teach how to use technology but also how to analyze, question, and verify the
content that students consume.
2.
Fact-checking institutions must
be strengthened, publicly funded, and legally protected. These bodies should be
shielded from political interference and empowered to challenge even the most
influential players.
3.
The Presidential Communications
Office and other government bodies must recommit to truthful, fact-based
governance communication, rather than partisan storytelling.
4.
Influencers, journalists, and
content creators must be reminded of their ethical obligations. Those who reach
millions of Filipinos daily have a moral responsibility to inform, not
manipulate.
5.
Finally, platforms like
Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube must be held accountable. They cannot continue to
profit from polarization while claiming neutrality. Algorithmic responsibility
and local content regulation must be enforced.
A Final Word: The Truth Is Still Worth Fighting For
The
Philippines is a resilient nation. We’ve endured colonization, dictatorships,
natural disasters, and global pandemics. But this war on information may be the
most dangerous of all—because it seeks to destroy our very perception of
reality.
When truth
becomes negotiable, when lies go viral, and when insults silence ideas, we lose
more than just arguments—we lose the foundations of our democracy.
But it is
not too late.
The
antidote to disinformation is not censorship but critical thinking. The defense
against trolling is not retaliation but empathy and civic courage. And the
weapon to reclaim our national discourse is a recommitment to truth—by
citizens, educators, media professionals, and yes, public servants.
Democracy
does not collapse in a day. It erodes slowly—click by click, share by share,
until silence takes over. Let us not be silent. Let us not surrender. Let us
speak truth, even when it is inconvenient—especially when it is inconvenient.
References
Bradshaw,
S., & Howard, P. N. (2018). Challenging truth and trust: A global inventory
of organized social media manipulation. Oxford Internet Institute. https://demtech.oii.ox.ac.uk/
Bradshaw,
S., & Howard, P. N. (2019). The global disinformation order: 2019 global
inventory of organized social media manipulation. Oxford Internet Institute.
DOST-ICTO.
(2014). Philippine Internet milestones. Department of Science and Technology –
Information and Communications Technology Office.
Ong, J. C.,
& Cabañes, J. V. A. (2019). Architects of networked disinformation: Behind
the scenes of troll accounts and fake news production in the Philippines. New
Media & Society, 21(2), 1–17.
Rappler.
(2023). DDS vloggers versus PCO: The new online divide. https://rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/dds-vloggers-marcos-admin-2023/
Social
Weather Stations. (2022). Public perceptions on disinformation and fake
news. https://www.sws.org.ph
We Are
Social & Hootsuite. (2023). Digital 2023: The Philippines. https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2023-philippines
World Bank.
(2023). Philippines Economic Update: Investing in the Future. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/philippines-economic-update
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Dr. Rodolfo “John” Ortiz Teope is a distinguished Filipino academic, public intellectual, and advocate for civic education and public safety, whose work spans local academies and international security circles. With a career rooted in teaching, research, policy, and public engagement, he bridges theory and practice by making meaningful contributions to academic discourse, civic education, and public policy. Dr. Teope is widely respected for his critical scholarship in education, management, economics, doctrine development, and public safety; his grassroots involvement in government and non-government organizations; his influential media presence promoting democratic values and civic consciousness; and his ethical leadership grounded in Filipino nationalism and public service. As a true public intellectual, he exemplifies how research, advocacy, governance, and education can work together in pursuit of the nation’s moral and civic mission
