House: Public officials should promote truth, not misinformation

MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed concern over what it describes as Senator Ronald dela Rosa’s “irresponsible and dangerous act” of spreading artificial intelligence (AI)-generated disinformation targeting the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a press briefing, House spokesperson Princess Abante said Dela Rosa’s decision to share AI-generated content questioning the legitimacy of the impeachment proceedings was not only misleading but a reckless abuse of his platform as a public official.

“Bilang mga opisyal po ng bayan, may tungkulin tayong lahat na magtaguyod ng katotohanan. Nakakalungkot ‘pag public official pa ang gumagawa nito, dahil nasa posisyon ang isang public official para ma-steer ang public sentiments, ang pananaw ng tao, at bilang ehemplo din sa mamamayan (As public officials, we have a duty to promote truth. It is lamentable if a public official does this because he is in a position to steer public sentiments),” she said.

Abante said public officials should never be the source of falsehoods, especially when these involve sensitive democratic processes.

“Hindi lang ito iresponsable kundi delikado para sa mga opisyal ng bayan na nagpu-propagate at hinahayaan ang mga fake news at disinformation na lumalaganap (It is not only irresponsible but dangerous for public officials to propagate and tolerate the proliferation of fake news and disinformation),” she added.

Abante was responding to questions about Dela Rosa’s recent social media post containing AI-manipulated content aimed at discrediting the impeachment process and the House prosecution panel.

House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong earlier described the incident as “worrisome,” while House Prosecution Panel spokesperson Antonio Audie Bucoy said the senator was “propagating lies.”

Abante said public servants must “lead the propagation of truth and accurate information,” warning that the effects of fake news are not limited to social media but have real-world consequences.

“Hindi lang mga public officials ang apektado ng fake news, regular na mamamayan din. Marami na tayong nakita na naapektuhan ang kanilang buhay, mental health, emotional well-being, at maging ang kanilang kaligtasan dahil sa disinformation (It’s not only public officials who mare affected by fake news, but also ordinary citizens. We have seen a lot of people whose lives, mental health, emotional well-being and even their safety were affected by disinformation),” Abante said.

“Sabi nga (As the saying goes), the truth shall set us free --not AI, not fake news.”

Asked whether stronger penalties should be imposed on public officials who knowingly spread disinformation, Abante said it will be up to the members of the 20th Congress to decide.

She cited the findings and recommendations of the House Tri-Comm inquiry on fake news and disinformation in the 19th Congress, which called for urgent legislation to regulate AI-generated content and address the growing threat of digital deceit.

Abante said she hopes the 20th Congress will prioritize the passage of a law to combat fake news.

However, Abante underscored the higher standards expected of officials entrusted with public confidence.

“As public officials, we all have a greater responsibility to advance truth and avoid disinformation,” she said.

“Kung ano ang magiging (As to the) penalties, it’s really up to the members of the 20th Congress to initiate legislation and determine the right sanctions for those who, in bad faith, use fake news and AI-generated content to attack institutions and processes."

The House, under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, has consistently advocated for truth-based governance and responsible public discourse, particularly amid the impeachment case against Duterte. (PNA)

(2025/06/18-10:32)