Marcos: Fake news has no place in modern society

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday underscored that fake news has no place in the society we are living in.

This as Marcos graced the 14th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) in Pasay City.

In his speech, the President mentioned that the Freedom of Information program "has leveraged available technology and digital platforms to be of greater service to our people."

"Of course, we also have to highlight that the FOI Program has greatly advanced the campaign against misinformation and disinformation in the country. A problem that we in the Philippines also suffer from as I guess all of us do around the world," Marcos said.

"Like everyone here, we too recognize as a matter of principle that fake news should have no place in modern society," the President added.

Marcos said his administration would undertake a media and information literacy campaign, which shall be digital, multi-media, and youth-oriented. He noted that his leadership would always promote the freedom of information in the society.

"Our people can be assured of the continued implementation of the FOI Program in the Executive Branch, through the Presidential Communications Office," he said.

"At this juncture, I reiterate our call not only to the executive branch, but to all branches of government, to genuinely uphold and give effect to the people’s freedom of information in the course of our day-to-day operations, with good faith and with openness," he added.

When he was still running for president, Marcos said he was a victim of fake news on social media.

Marcos, meanwhile, added that with a whole-of- nation approach, the government would strive to maintain a government "that is not only effective and efficient, but also transparent and accountable to our people."

"The Philippines stands in solidarity with the ICIC and the entire international community in this advocacy. As a nation with a robust democracy, we reaffirm our commitment to champion this basic human right. It remains indelibly etched in our fundamental law," Marcos said.

"We value its potency to empower our people to make informed decisions to participate fully in the democratic process, and hold their representatives accountable without fear or apprehension," he added.

The ICIC is a global network connecting commissioners, ombudspersons, and other bodies overseeing the implementation of access to public information legislation and policies.

The members of the body are dedicated to the protection and promotion of the right to access public information as a fundamental pillar to the enjoyment of social and economic freedoms.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil said that being a host this year was a testament that "the Philippines recognizes access to information as a fundamental right that must be upheld."

The hosting of the 14th Edition of ICIC was conferred to PCO through Freedom of Information Management Program in June 2022 in Puebla, Mexico during the preceding edition of the conference.

The Philippines is the first Southeast Asian member of the network. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News