House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, together with ACT Teachers Party-list Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio, denounced the reported 58% public disagreement with the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte as a result of a massive fake news and disinformation campaign orchestrated by Duterte’s machinery. The lawmakers called for a concerted effort to counter these falsehoods and expose the truth about Duterte’s crimes against the Filipino people.
“The supposed survey results showing that 58% of Filipinos disagree with Duterte’s arrest is a glaring example of how disinformation can distort public opinion. This reflects the impact of the widespread propaganda and fake news machinery that has been systematically built to whitewash Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity,” Castro said.
“Ang mga survey na ito ay hindi indikasyon na walang pananagutan si Duterte. Sa halip, nagpapakita ito ng matagalang epekto ng maling impormasyon at propaganda na naglalayong linlangin ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi natin dapat hayaan na manaig ang kasinungalingan,” Castro added.
The survey, conducted by Pulse Asia, indicated that a majority of respondents, particularly from Mindanao, disagreed with Duterte’s arrest and trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mindanao registered an overwhelming 96% disagreement, underscoring Duterte’s sustained influence in his political stronghold. However, Castro and Tinio emphasized that such sentiments do not absolve Duterte of accountability for the thousands of lives lost during his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
“It is crucial that we counter this narrative with the truth. The Duterte administration’s war on drugs claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos—officially 6,000 according to government data, but human rights groups estimate the number to be as high as 30,000. Each one of these lives matter, and each one demands justice,” Tinio stated.
“Hindi natin maaaring balewalain ang mga krimen ng dating Pangulo. Ang mga biktima ng extrajudicial killings at ang kanilang mga pamilya ay nararapat lamang mabigyan ng hustisya. Dapat tayo ay magkaisa upang labanan ang disimpormasyon at ipalaganap ang katotohanan,” Tinio added.
The lawmakers also highlighted the need for a widespread educational campaign to inform the public about the real impact of Duterte’s drug war and his accountability under international law. They called on progressive organizations, human rights advocates, and the Filipino people to intensify their efforts in combating fake news and amplifying the stories of victims.
“As progressive lawmakers, we will continue to stand with the victims and ensure that Duterte’s crimes will not be erased from history. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that truth and justice prevail,” Castro concluded.
“Ang paglaban sa fake news ay hindi lamang laban sa kasalukuyan, kundi laban din sa pagtatangkang burahin ang kasaysayan. Hindi natin hahayaan na magapi ang hustisya ng kasinungalingan,” Tinio ended.
ACT Teachers and its allies vowed to work tirelessly to expose the truth and to hold Duterte accountable for the atrocities committed during his administration. They also reiterated their call for the Filipino people to join the broader campaign for truth, justice, and accountability. #
