COMELEC LAUNCHES KAISA PROJECT AHEAD OF DECEMBER BARANGAY, SK POLLS 

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched on Friday the KAISA Project to kick off the preparations for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in December. Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay said that Project KAISA stands for “Katapatan at Integridad para Sa Atin.” 

2025 DIGITAL RIGHTS ELECTORAL AGENDA

On April 23, the Foundation for Media Alternatives launched the 10-Point Digital Rights Electoral Agenda, bringing together digital rights experts, journalists, and human rights advocates whose insights produced a rich conversation that emphasized the shared responsibility of both aspiring policymakers and the electorate in protecting our digital freedoms.

NPC DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ADDRESSES ELECTION PRIVACY CONCERNS

NPC has launched an investigation after hearing public reports about voters’ personal information being displayed in school hallways during the May 12 elections. These lists allegedly included names, addresses, and photos, raising serious concerns about potential breaches of the Data Privacy Act.

PRESS FREEDOM IN PH IMPROVES BUT GLOBAL STATE OF JOURNALISTS FALLS TO ‘DIFFICULT’ FOR FIRST TIME

While economic difficulties and attacks against journalists remain worrisome, the Philippines jumped from 134th to 116th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index — its highest ranking in 21 years. The country received a global score of 49.57, slightly better than last year’s 43.36 but still under a “difficult situation”, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in its report released Friday, May 2.

PHILIPPINES’ IMPROVED PRESS FREEDOM RANKING NOT FELT ON THE GROUND — NUJP

NUJP warned that the rise is partly due to a global decline in press freedom, not necessarily local reforms.

THE STATE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN THE PHILIPPINES 2025

Fewer journalists were killed but the absence of killings should not mislead stakeholders, as the quality of press freedom must be measured by other valuations, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.

COLLEGE EDITORS GUILD LAUNCHES ELECTORAL AGENDA, PUSHES FOR CAMPUS PRESS FREEDOM BILL

The 10-point agenda, crafted by CEGP following nationwide consultations with campus publications since 2024, aims to provide candidates actionable measures they can prioritize to defend and strengthen the integrity of campus press. The agenda includes measures to end campus press freedom violations, pass key bills, and eradicate impunity against journalists.

BUDGET SECRETARY PANGANDAMAN CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF FOI BILL IN 20TH CONGRESS

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman called newly elected and incumbent lawmakers to prioritize the passage of a freedom of information (FOI) bill once the 20th Congress convenes in July of this year.

HOW A FAKE STAIRWELL BECAME A REAL WAKE-UP CALL

At first glance, A Brief History of the Escherian Stairwell appears to be a documentary about a quirky architectural illusion. But for filmmaker Michael Lacanilao, it’s a sobering mirror held up to a society increasingly unable to distinguish truth from deception.

DIGITAL COALITION LAUNCHED TO FIGHT FAKE NEWS

DMSC brought together key organizations including the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, Global AI Council Philippines, Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines, Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines, Blockchain Council of the Philippines, Philippines CIO Association, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), and Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Broadcasters ng Pilipinas, Inc. for the initiative that will address misinformation and disinformation in the social media landscape in the Philippines.

DICT, GOOGLE JOINING FORCES VS FAKE NEWS

The DICT and Google Philippines agreed to coordinate for stronger online safeguards, smarter artificial intelligence tools and digital empowerment nationwide.

MARCOS: EQUIP ASEAN YOUTH WITH DIGITAL RESILIENCE

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday to strengthen digital literacy and resilience among the region’s youth as a proactive measure against online scams and other emerging cyber threats.

PH DIGITAL ECONOMY HITS P2.25T IN 2024, 8.5% OF GDP

This marks a 7.6% growth from P2.09 trillion in 2023, as the country continues its push for digital transformation across public and private sectors.

SHOULD FILIPINO MINORS BE KEPT OFF SOCIAL MEDIA?

Texas House Bill 186 aims to block anyone under 18 from accessing platforms like Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Snapchat unless they have parental consent. Halfway around the world, in the Philippines — often dubbed the social media capital of the world — the idea raises more questions than answers. Could a policy like this work here? And, more importantly, should it?

NAMFREL LAUNCHES OPERATION QR COUNT 2025 (OQC 2025) FOR THE 2025 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

In the NAMFREL OQC 2025, any person with a smart device and internet connection can contribute to verifying the transmitted results of the elections at the different polling places by scanning the QR codes of the Election Returns (ERs) posted outside the doors of polling places during the counting period.

PBBM: INTERNET ACCESS FOR ALL, EVEN IN REMOTE AREAS

With the ongoing expansion of the country’s digital infrastructure, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino people that internet access will reach all areas of the Philippines—including remote islands and mountainous regions—by the end of this year.

85% OF PHILIPPINE COMPANIES GRAPPLE WITH CYBER THREATS –CISCO

Without adequate training and faced with a shortage of cybersecurity professionals, most Philippine companies remain vulnerable to cyberattacks in an era where the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving.

TRADITIONAL CYBERSECURITY OBSOLETE — TECH FIRM CHIEF

Speaking at the Gen AI Summit Philippines 2025 held at the Sheraton Hotel in Parañaque City, Migriño emphasized the need for companies to invest in advanced cybersecurity solutions.

DICT INVESTIGATING VIRAL ‘SCAM HUB’ IN CEBU

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is investigating an alleged scam hub in Cebu that went viral on social media. The video, which now has more than 1.7 million views on YouTube as of posting, showed CCTV footage and audio recordings inside the alleged scam hub manned by Filipinos. 

GROWING USE OF AI IN CYBERCRIMES AS EXPLOITS, STOLEN CREDENTIALS INCREASE – CYBERSECURITY FIRM

 Cybersecurity firm Fortinet, in their 2025 Global Threat Landscape Report released in May, found threat actors are relying more on AI and automation to enhance their attacks. 

THE PHILIPPINES: SENATOR URGES BALANCE IN AI GOVERNANCE

Speaking at an event organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, Senator Grace Poe emphasized that while AI offers many benefits, it also introduces new risks and challenges that must be addressed through clear, carefully developed guidelines.

UN RIGHTS CHIEF WARNS OF AI THREATS TO PRESS FREEDOM

States are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor journalists and their sources online, violating their right to privacy and creating a chilling effect on media professionals around the world, the United Nations human rights chief has warned.

MARCOS BACKS ASEAN AI CENTER, URGES ETHICAL TECH GOVERNANCE, DIGITAL INVESTMENT

President Marcos has backed the establishment of an ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, saying responsible and inclusive technology must be at the heart of the region’s digital future.

PNP LAUNCHES INTERAGENCY ANTI-FAKE NEWS COMMITTEE

“We created ‘yung Joint Anti-Fake News Action Committee (JAFNAC). We want to stop lahat ang nagpapa-spread ng fake news,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said in an ambush interview.

DEPED, PCO COLLABORATE ON MEDIA LITERACY TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PAPER ADVISERS

It highlights the need to equip educators with the tools necessary to promote fact-based journalism, enhance media and information literacy, and empower students to navigate the digital information landscape responsibly.

AI FAKERY RISES, BUT CHEAPFAKES STILL RULE THE RACE

According to Verafiles, AI-manipulated videos and audio are becoming a more common, targeted, and deceptive misinformation technique ahead of Monday’s midterm elections. Despite their rise, simpler manipulations, or shallowfakes, continue to be the most common threat, dominating the misinformation environment identified by fact-checkers.

WOMEN HOLD JUST 24% OF PH ELECTED POSTS IN 2022

A new policy research titled “Barriers to Filipino Women’s Political Participation” finds that women make up only 24% of elected politicians in the Philippines, highlighting the country’s ongoing gender imbalance in political participation.  The article, written by University of the Philippines professors Jean Encinas-Franco and Elma Laguna, discovers that, despite the country’s robust legal foundations for gender equality, women are still significantly underrepresented in formal politics.

COMELEC DQS PASIG BET OVER SEXIST REMARKS
Christian Sia, a Pasig congressional candidate, has been banned from the May 12 midterm elections due to inappropriate remarks against single mothers and body shaming of his former female aide.  The Commission on Elections’ Second Division has concluded that Sia’s remarks constitute gender-based harassment and violate the Fair Campaigning Act.

MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FAILING TO MEET ‘BASIC STANDARDS’ OF SAFETY FOR LGBTQ USERS: GLAAD

In its fifth year, GLAAD’s Social Media Safety Index assesses policies and product features of TikTok, X, YouTube, and Meta’s Instagram, Facebook, and Threads on more than a dozen LGBTQ-specific indicators, such as whether platforms have public-facing policies against deadnaming and misgendering or regulations prohibiting users from engaging in hate speech directed at LGBTQ people.

DSWD AIDS IN RESCUE OPS OF 10 OSAEC VICTIMS IN ILIGAN

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 participated in two entrapment and rescue operations on May 7 and 9, 2025, to safeguard vulnerable sectors. These activities resulted in the rescue of 10 victims, including minors, from online sexual abuse and child exploitation (OSAEC).

NADINE LUSTRE TAKES LEGAL ACTION VS ‘RELENTLESS, MALICIOUS ATTACKS’

Nadine Lustre filed a complaint for violating the Safe Spaces Act in response to “relentless and malicious attacks” on her social media accounts. The actress’ filing was supported by incoming ML partylist Rep. Leila de Lima, whom Lustre backed in the recent midterm elections.

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