Top newspaper organizations in the country and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) forged a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday, March 4, to fight disinformation and misinformation on digital platforms.

The Manila Bulletin joined other publications in signing the MOU that aims to ensure the integrity of news and information and protect the public from "fake news," misinformation, and disinformation on digital and social media.

"Nagkalat na ang fake news lalo na sa SocMed. Marami na ang naniniwala at naloloko nito. Panahon na para ito at tuldukan (Fake news has become widespread, especially on social media. Many people already believe it and are being misled by it. It’s time to put an end to this)," PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said in his remarks during the signing of the MOU held at the Malacañan Palace.

"At a time when information flows like a digital river — sometimes clear, sometimes muddied — we come together for a common purpose: to address the growing menace of “fake news,” disinformation, and misinformation especially on social media," Gomez said.

"A healthy democracy depends on an informed public — not misinformed, not misled, not deceived," he added.

Under the MOU, a framework for cooperation between the PCO and the country's major daily newspapers— The Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, The Philippine Star, Business Mirror, Business World, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, and Manila Standard —will be established to protect the public from harms of fake news, "with special emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable population in times of crisis, emergencies, or disasters.

"With this MOU, we commit together to open communication channels for verifying social media claims, exercising prudence to curb the spread of fabricated content. And we will join forces on media literacy initiatives, empowering Filipinos to discern fact from fiction," Gomez said.

The parties committed to uphold accurate, verified, and responsible reporting while maintaining full respect for press freedom and editorial independence.

Among the agreement’s key objectives are enhancing the dissemination of verified information, strengthening public trust in credible media institutions, promoting media and information literacy, and enabling coordinated and rapid responses to disinformation during crises, emergencies, and disasters.

Manila Bulletin Publisher and former press secretary Herminio Coloma, who represented the Manila Bulletin during the signing of MOU, reaffirmed the company's role as a "reliable platform for verified news and constructive dialogue."

He emphasized that working with the government in the fight against fake news does not protect those in power from scrutiny, but to ensure that public debate rests on facts and reason.

"We stand ready to work with the Office of the President and the Presidential Communications Office, not to shield power from scrutiny, but to ensure that public debate rests on facts and reason," Coloma said in his remarks.

"Truth is not partisan. It is a public good. And together, let us defend it for the sake of our democracy and for generations to come," he added.

The former press secretary emphasized that the fight against fake news indeed requires a whole-of-society approach, noting that the "government must provide clear, consistent, and credible information" while media organizations "must adhere to the highest standards of journalism."

Citizens must exercise discernment and responsibility in consuming and sharing information, he added.

"In this digital age, that commitment must be even stronger. The tools of misinformation have grown more sophisticated, amplified by social media algorithms, and increasingly by artificial intelligence," Coloma said.

"But, so too, must our vigilance end resolve. Solidarity does not mean uniformity of perspective. It means a shared dedication to the truth. It means open lines of communication, timely access to verified information, and transparency in public affairs. It means supporting initiatives that promote media literacy, fact-checking, and accountability across both government and media institutions," Coloma added.

Gomez disclosed that the PCO has established an anti-fake news desk where citizens can report suspicious or misleading content.

Reports submitted, Gomez said, will be immediately evaluated and will be referred to the appropriate agencies, such as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) among others for prompt and proper action.

The Press Secretary warned that they will go after individuals who deliberately peddle fake news.

"Beyond monitoring, the PCO will actively go after those who deliberately peddle fake news and disinformation on social media platforms. We will engage and collaborate with platforms such as Meta and Google, seeking their cooperation and assistance in addressing coordinated disinformation campaigns and ensuring accountability in the digital space," Gomez said.

"Our fight against 'fake news' is not a war on words. It is a defense of our people’s right to truthful information and responsible freedom of expression," he added.  

During the signing of the MOU, Manila Bulletin President Emil Yap, Executive Editor Ed Bartilad, senior members of the editorial board, Isabel De Leon and Rocky Nazareno, also attended the signing ceremony, representing the company.