Filipino politicians share deepfake videos in a battle over impeachment: ‘Even if it’s AI…I agree with the point’
Filipino politicians are increasingly deploying deepfake videos in the impeachment showdown involving Vice President Sara Duterte. With the House having impeached her in February over accusations including misuse of funds and threats to kill President Marcos Jr., her allies and critics alike are using AI-generated clips to influence public opinion. Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a Duterte supporter, even shared a deepfake featuring students supposedly opposing the impeachment; when called out, he responded, “Even if it’s AI… I agree with the point” . The tactics amplify the already heated political climate, raising alarms about misinformation’s role in shaping narratives during a high-stakes trial. The impeachment process continues amid broader concerns over AI’s manipulation of democratic discourse.
