Palace press officer concerned over officials’ sharing of AI-generated videos

• Malacañang expressed concern after Senator Bato Dela Rosa and Mayor Baste Duterte shared an AI-generated video allegedly showing students opposing an impeachment trial
• Palace press officer Usec. Atty. Claire Castro said the incident is damaging to public trust, especially since the disinformation came from high-ranking officials
• Castro emphasized that government officials should not be sources of fake news, warning that it worsens public doubt and erodes credibility
• The Palace called for responsible social media use and urged officials to verify information before posting, especially in politically sensitive times

Malacañang expressed concern on Monday, June 16, 2025, after Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte shared an AI-generated video on Facebook, Philippine Star reported.

The video featured two alleged students voicing opposition to the ongoing impeachment trial, which has sparked questions about its authenticity and intent.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro voiced alarm over the circulation of the misleading video, especially since it was disseminated by high-ranking government officials.

Castro underscored the dangers of public servants becoming sources of disinformation.

“Hindi po sana nanggagaling sa mga opisyal ng pamahalaan. Nakakaduda, mas nakakawala ng tiwala kung mismong sa matataas na opisyal nanggagaling ang mga misinformation at fake news,” she added.

The Palace reiterated its call for responsible use of social media, especially in a time when artificial intelligence-generated content can easily be manipulated and misused to sway public opinion.

Castro emphasized the importance of verifying content before sharing it, urging public officials to lead by example in promoting truth and transparency.

She warned that the spread of fabricated videos and misinformation undermines public trust and the integrity of democratic processes.

The Palace has not made any statement whether formal action will be taken regarding the incident but maintained that accountability in government communication is essential, particularly in politically sensitive situations like an impeachment trial.

News, photos or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, such could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In other news, a woman was fatally shot by riding-in-tandem suspects while she was having a drink with some friends on a roadside in Sampaloc, Manila. The 30-year-old woman was killed after being shot in the nape by assailants on a motorcycle on Thursday evening, May 22. The victim’s live-in partner, a barangay tanod, sustained a gunshot wound to the knee, and another tanod was grazed in the chest after pursuing the fleeing suspects who fired additional shots. Authorities are actively investigating the identity of the perpetrators and potential motives for the attack, including whether the backrider was female and if a “love triangle” was involved.

Still in other news, a 23-year-old man suffered from physical injuries after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of young men. According to the report of GMA Regional TV, the victim, Mat Ernest Bongo brought his female co-worker home and it was thereafter that the alleged assault took place. He sustained injuries in different parts of his body. Based on the report, the victim was also allegedly robbed by the same group.

Source: KAMI.com.gh