MANILA – The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has forged a strategic alliance with nine top Philippine newspapers to curb the rising threat of fake news and disinformation on social media and digital platforms. The partnership was formalized on March 4, 2026, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Known as Oplan Kontra Fake News, the initiative aims to foster transparency, fact-based reporting, and responsible communication. It is designed to protect the public from misleading content that could harm public safety, disrupt democratic processes, or erode trust in legitimate media.
PCO Secretary Dave M. Gomez led the signing of the MOU with major newspapers, including Business Mirror, Business World, Daily Tribune, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Times, and The Philippine Star. The agreement stresses that press freedom and editorial independence remain vital pillars of democracy.
According to the MOU, fake news is defined as information that:
Lacks factual foundation or is materially misleading;
Is intentionally created to deceive; and
Can result in public harm such as panic, violence, or reputational damage.
“Truth shines brightest when we unite to focus verified information and illuminate falsehoods,” Gomez said. “Through this collaboration, we aim to reveal and counter disinformation wherever it spreads.”
The initiative also includes the creation of an Anti-Fake News Desk, where media partners and the public can submit reports on potentially false or misleading content. Submitted cases will be reviewed and forwarded to relevant government agencies, including the DICT and DOJ, for appropriate action.
In addition, the PCO plans to work with social media platforms such as Meta and Google to identify coordinated disinformation campaigns and promote accountability in the digital ecosystem.
Signatories on behalf of their newspapers included T. Anthony C. Cabangon (Business Mirror), Arjay Balinbin (Business World), Luisito “Chito” Lozada (Daily Tribune), Allen A. Macasaet (Malaya Business Insight), Herminio B. Coloma Jr. (Manila Bulletin), Rolando Estabillo (Manila Standard), Paolo R. Prieto (Philippine Daily Inquirer), Anna Marie Ang-Thompson (The Manila Times), and Teresa Mendoza (The Philippine Star).
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