Palace intensifies efforts against fake news in Philippines

The Philippine government has pledged to strengthen its efforts against fake news relating to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. This announcement came from Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a news briefing. Castro highlighted a recent survey by Social Weather Stations, showing that 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte should be held responsible for drug-related killings during his presidency. She stated that they are pleased with this majority support for government actions on the issue. However, Castro noted that some people remain undecided or poorly informed about the situation. She emphasized the need to combat misinformation, suggesting that disbelief in the government's actions may stem from exposure to fake news. The survey also found that 25 percent of respondents disagreed with holding Duterte accountable, while 14 percent were undecided and 10 percent felt they lacked sufficient knowledge to form an opinion. Duterte is currently in custody with the International Criminal Court in The Hague. He recently appeared before the ICC for a hearing where his identity was confirmed, charges were listed, and his rights were explained. A further hearing on the confirmation of charges is scheduled for September 23, 2025.