The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the response of Meta Platforms to the Philippine government’s request for stronger action against disinformation does not fully address the urgency of the issue.
In a statement, the DICT acknowledged that Meta outlined measures to curb the spread of harmful content on its platforms and highlighted its continued engagement with the Philippine government.
However, the agency said these interventions “fall short of directly addressing the urgency of the situation and the specific, time-bound actions” requested by authorities.
The response follows a joint appeal from the DICT, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), which called on Meta to implement “immediate and enhanced measures” to limit the spread of fake news online.
The latest development underscores rising pressure from the Philippine government on major social media platforms to take a more aggressive role in content moderation, particularly as concerns over disinformation continue to grow.
While recognizing Meta’s efforts, the DICT reiterated its position on the dangers of fake news, defining it as content deliberately designed to mislead public opinion. It warned that such material undermines trust in institutions and disrupts public discourse.
The agency also reiterated that addressing disinformation requires both stronger platform enforcement and public vigilance. It urged Filipinos to verify information before sharing and to report misleading content online.
According to Reuters Digital News Report 2025, the Philippines remains one of the world’s most active social media markets, with platforms like Facebook serving as the main source of news for many users. This has made the rapid spread of false information a continuing challenge, particularly during campaign periods.
While dialogue between the government and Meta Platforms is ongoing, authorities expect more concrete and time-bound measures to effectively curb the spread of harmful online content.
