Abalos ‘cheapfake’ probe sought

MANILA, Philippines — Cheapfakes or rudimentary deepfakes of former interior secretary Benhur Abalos are being investigated by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

Abalos is vying for a senatorial seat in the May 2025 midterm elections.

A billboard promoting Abalos reads: “Kalaban ng Kriminal (Enemy of criminals) Benhur Abalos.” On social media, an altered version of the billboard says “enemy and criminal.”

Cheapfakes are “visual disinformation for which authentic images or videos are re-contextualized to deliberately alter their meaning,” the CICC said, citing the Commission on Elections Resolution 11064 promulgated in September.

Malicious use of social media and artificial intelligence to spread misinformation and disinformation may constitute an election offense, said CICC executive director Alexander Ramos.

Creation and dissemination of deepfakes, cheapfakes, softfakes and fake news are punishable under the law, he noted.

Cybercrimes related to the 2025 polls should be reported to the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline 1326, Ramos said.