Quezon City: Philippine state media are all set to provide factual news and counter misinformation and disinformation during the conduct of the May 12 national and local elections, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz said Saturday. This announcement follows a meeting with key figures from the Philippine News Agency, People’s Television Network (PTV), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine Broadcasting Service, and Philippine Information Agency at the PTV office in Quezon City.

According to Philippines News Agency, Ruiz emphasized that state media agencies will serve as ‘vanguards of truth’ during the elections, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure peaceful and fair elections. “Lahat ng media components sa gobyerno, pinagsama-sama natin dito para sa pinakamalakas, (at) pinakamalawak na coverage dito sa mangyayaring eleksyon sa May 12,” he stated, highlighting the collaboration of government media for extensive election coverage.

Ruiz further noted that the integrated state media aims to uncover the truth and act as the foundation of truth during the elections. Additionally, the PCO is collaborating with the Philippine National Police and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to combat online disinformation. The police will provide a focal person to the media’s central desk at PTV to assist in this effort.

In preparation for the elections, Ruiz is scheduled to visit the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila, to discuss enhanced election coverage, focusing on quicker result updates and the elimination of fake news. A 24/7 threat monitoring system was also launched on Friday to protect the election’s integrity against fake news purveyors. Ruiz stressed the importance of promptly addressing fake news to prevent confusion and allegations of election fraud.