DICT sets up ‘war room’ vs digital voting fraud

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has set up a “war room” with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to monitor and stamp out online misinformation and disinformation in the run-up to the May 12 midterm polls.

The DICT said the first-of-its-kind 24/7 Threat Monitoring Center will serve as a real-time digital command post for detecting, disrupting and dismantling online misinformation and disinformation, to protect the sanctity of the ballot in the digital age.

The DICT will operate the anti-fake news command post through the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

The CICC made the Threat Monitoring Center operational in two days under its officer-in-charge, DICT Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso.

“This center is our commitment to the Filipino people – a promise that in a time of digital deception, the government will stand as a guardian of truth and transparency,” DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the center would help stem the spread of misinformation and disinformation in cyberspace ahead of the midterm polls.

“Misinformation is really massive – from the internet and social media. Everyone is witness to it,” he said.

Lately, cyberspace has been barraged with fake claims like “No National ID, No Vote” as well as with AI-generated deepfake videos.

Using cutting-edge forensics, rapid-response coordination and real-time surveillance, representatives from government agencies, law enforcement units, fact-checkers, tech platforms and civil society organizations will work side-by-side in the digital war room.

“The stakes are high, and the message is clear,” Paraiso said. “When disinformation wins, democracy loses. That’s why we cannot – and will not – let falsehoods go unchecked.”

30 bets face DQ

Meanwhile, the Comelec said 30 candidates – including one running for senator – are facing possible disqualification for their failure to remove illegal campaign posters.

“Some 30 to 35 individuals would be slapped with complaint by Task Force Baklas officially for their failure to remove illegal campaign posters despite several notices and requests,” Garcia said. He declined to name the candidates facing disqualification.

As this developed, Bayan Muna Party-list filed before the Comelec a letter complaint on alleged massive black propaganda and vilification campaign against the group.

In violation of the law, Bayan Muna claimed that the group and some senatorial candidates have been labelled as terrorists.

“Not only have terrorist-labeling against Bayan Muna and other party-lists and senatorial candidates continued; this has also become more brazen, on the ground and online,” the group said.

Bayan Muna said Vice President Sara Duterte is one of those who posted social media content and disinformation against the group.

CSC’s appeal

The Civil Service Commission, for its part, has called on Filipinos to exercise their right to vote and reminded all government workers to refrain from engaging in partisan political activities.

“The Civil Service Commission encourages the public to participate in the election process and observe proper voting procedures to ensure a smooth and peaceful midterm election on 12 May 2025. Regular voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,” the CSC said in a statement posted on its Facebook account.

The CSC also advised senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant voters to come early to their designated polling places, as they can vote as early as 5 a.m.

“The Comelec Precinct Finder is also available online to make it easier to know one’s polling place. Be ready to supply needed information such as name, date of birth and place of registration,” the CSC said.

In a separate statement, the CSC reminded all government workers to refrain from engaging in partisan political activities days before the elections. The Commission reiterated its Memorandum Circular No. 03 series of 2025, issued on March 31 which prohibits actions by government workers that “solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period.”

Apart from the acts previously identified as prohibited “partisan political activities” under CSC and Comelec Joint Circular No. 1, s. 2016, the new CSC memorandum circular added several activities as falling under the category of “partisan political activities.”

“Government officials and employees are further reminded to be prudent when using social media. Social media functions such as liking, comment, sharing, re-posting or following a candidate’s or party’s account are considered as ‘partisan political activity’ if these are resorted to as means to solicit support for or against a candidate or party during the campaign period,” the memorandum circular, signed by CSC chairperson Marilyn Yap, read.

“Given their nature, the prohibited activities may be committed not only during but also outside office hours for the duration of the campaign period. It may also be committed even outside office premises,” it added.

The CSC warned that the commission of any of the prohibited partisan political activities is punishable by suspension of one month and one day up six months for the first offense and dismissal from the service for the second offense, in accordance with its 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

Covered by the prohibition are all government employees, regardless of the appointment status – whether permanent, temporary, contractual or even casual; employees of  government-owned and controlled corporations with original charters and state universities and colleges, career officers holding political offices in an acting or officer-in-charge capacity and even employees on leave of absence.

Also covered by the prohibition are uniformed and active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as well as barangay officials. - Mayen Jaymalin, Elizabeth Marcelo