A few days before the May 12 midterm elections, Malacañang on Wednesday renewed its call for the public to remain vigilant and discerning amid the growing spread of fake news.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged the public to reject any attempts to undermine democratic processes through misinformation and distortion of the truth.
“Unang-una po na maipapayo ng administrasyon: maging mapanuri. Maging mapagmatyag at huwag niyo pong ibenta ang inyong dignidad,” Castro said when asked for her advice to voters.
The Palace Press Officer also warned against foreign interference and online trolling to destabilize the electoral process. She assured the public that the government has made all necessary preparations to ensure fair, orderly, and safe elections.
“Huwag ibenta ang bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagiging keyboard warrior, ang tanging maging trabaho o goal ay gumawa ng fake news para sirain at maging negatibo ang taong-bayan sa ating Pangulo at pamahalaan,” Castro added.
Castro stressed that the government remains open to criticism as long as it is grounded in truth and evidence.
“Ang pintuan po ng pamahalaan ay hindi hahadlang sa anumang kritisismo hanggang mayroong pong basehan,” she said. “Ang ingatan lang po natin ay ang fake news peddlers. Labanan po natin ang fake news para kayo po ay magkaroon ng magandang desisyon sa Mayo 12.”
Castro said Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed its Election Task Force is set for a nationwide deployment beginning May 11 to provide real-time monitoring, assistance, and incident response.
The Palace Press Officer said the DepEd has forged partnerships with the Commission on Elections, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the Public Attorney’s Office to ensure teachers’ security, legal, and medical assistance.
“Sabi po ni Secretary Angara, sa araw ng halalan, kasama ng mga guro at kawani ang buong pwersa ng pamahalaan. Bantay, alalay, at proteksyon ang hatid sa ating mga guro ng bayan,” Castro said. | PND
