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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in countering deepfakes and disinformation in the upcoming elections, Secretary Ivan John Uy said.
Uy said Comelec sought the DICT’s help in strengthening detection mechanisms against digital threats that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
“Well, ang concern po dito sa election is deepfake at iyong misinformation and disinformation campaigns. So ito po, humihingi ng tulong ang Comelec na tulungan namin sila upang maiayos iyong mga detection mechanism natin at ma-advice sa publiko ‘no kung ano iyong pekeng information, ano iyong misinformation at ano iyong mga deepfake na ginagamit upang manira ng kandidato dito sa halalan na ito (Well, the concern in this election is deepfakes and misinformation and disinformation campaigns. So, Comelec is asking for our help to improve our detection mechanisms and to advise the public on what is fake information, what is misinformation, and what deepfakes are being used to discredit candidates in this election),” Uy said in television interview on Thursday, Jan. 31.
The DICT, he said, will act upon the Comelec’s directives once the poll body identifies digital threats that need to be addressed.
“We will get our directions from the Comelec at kung na-identify nila iyon, they will ask us to implement measures (We will get our directions from Comelec, and if they identify those issues, they will ask us to implement measures),” he added.
The DICT’s assistance comes as Comelec gears up for the 2025 midterm elections, which will determine new members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as local government officials.
Comelec has been ramping up efforts to ensure the credibility of the elections, including the adoption of stricter cybersecurity measures to prevent digital interference.
Deepfakes and disinformation have become growing concerns in recent elections worldwide, with manipulated content being used to mislead voters and discredit candidates.
With the DICT’s support, Comelec aims to enhance public awareness and strengthen mechanisms to detect and counter such threats.