As the government gears up for the upcoming midterm elections next year, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), assured the public that the government has sufficient technology and tools to counter deepfakes and manipulations through artificial intelligence (AI).

In a news forum in Quezon City, CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos said they continuously look for tools to counter or detect deepfakes as technology evolves very quickly.

Despite this, he said the government has enough tools to detect AI manipulation.

"Mabilis mag-evolve ang technology (Technology evolves quickly). What could be applicable now will not be applicable next month. So, we continuously search for flexible tools that could address it," Ramos said.

"But right now we have sufficient technology to detect it (deepfakes),” he added.

Deepfake is a kind of artificial intelligence used to create convincing and manipulated pictures, sounds, and videos mimicking a real person.

According to Ramos, deepfake is one of the biggest threats in the upcoming elections.

"It's a tool that the public will be misled because of that content so hindi na natin alam kung ano ang magiging totoo at anong hindi (we can't tell the real from the fake),” he said.

Ramos said they are also working closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to find technologies to maintain the election’s integrity.

"We have continuous talks because we have to research technologies that could help them govern this coming election," he said.

This year alone, President Marcos himself fell victim to deepfake. The first was in April when a supposed recording of him allegedly directing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to act against a "particular foreign country" was uploaded on a popular video streaming platform.

In July, a low-quality video of a man—who looks like the Chief Executive—sniffing cocaine was spread a day before his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The government quickly debunked the authenticity of the recording and the video.

More budget needed

However, Ramos said the technology used by the government through subscription is expensive because of its multiple applications.

Asked by reporters why the government relies on subscriptions instead of buying the technology for continuous usage, Ramos said his agency does not have the budget for it.

The CICC is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

"Maybe we can ask DBM (Department of Budget and Management) or Congress to increase our budget. Tandaan ninyo ho limited—mababa ho ang aming budget eh (Remember, our budget is limited),” Ramos said.

He said the technology is not solely for election-related purposes but also tactical and commercial monitoring. It could monitor content that will be used for destabilization and malfeasance.

On the other hand, Ramos said the technology could be used by online manipulators and scammers.

"We have a lot of complaints coming from personalities whose pictures, videos, and even their voices are being used to sell products na hindi naman nila ino-authorize (that they have not authorized)," he said.

Despite the challenges, Ramos said the CICC is working with its foreign counterparts to study measures to address deepfake.

"Maliban sa nag-aaral kami ngayon (Aside from studying) together with other countries how to address this, tini-test din namin ang mga technologies kung sufficient na ba o puwede na, or kailangan pa natin ng dagdag na kaalaman para ma-address itong isyung ito (we are also testing technologies if they are enough or if we need more knowledge to address this issue)," he said.

The CICC, created under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, is responsible for formulating a National Cybersecurity Plan and facilitating international cooperation on intelligence regarding cybersecurity issues.

It also serves as the lead agency in monitoring cybercrime cases handled by participating law enforcement and prosecution agencies. It also recommends enacting appropriate laws, issuances, measures, and policies pursuant to its mandate.

The CICC also leads the Philippine government’s efforts to protect the country, institutions, and citizens against cybercrime.