MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation said that while criticizing the government is a right, spreading false information—especially "fake news", the term initially used for misinformation and disinformation — remains a criminal offense.

NBI Director Jaime Santiago emphasized this after cases were filed against former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Claire Contreras — the vlogger known as “Maharlika” — over a video that falsely depicted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. snorting a white, powdery substance.

Roque as well as other allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte have used the video to imply that the President uses drugs and to challenge him to take a hair follicle test to disprove the rumor.

“Ayaw mo kay Presidente Marcos, mag-comment ka. Pero ‘yung gagawa ka pa ng fake na istorya para masira lamang ang duly-constituted authorities, e hindi maganda 'yan,” Santiago said.

(If you don't like President Marcos, you are free to comment. But to make up a fake story to discredit duly-constituted authorities, that's not good)

Santiago reiterated that forensic analysis had already confirmed the controversial "polvoron video" circulating online was AI-generated.

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He said this was determined through forensic examination of the video.

“Forensic, hindi lamang ‘yung salita lang namin na pinapasinungalingan namin ‘yung kanilang posting,” he said.

(Forensic, so it's not just our word that the video is fake)

'MISINFORMATION AFFECTS TRUST'

In response to Contreras' claim that the video's release was for “public awareness,” Santiago warned that misinformation can damage public trust and incite disturbance.

The Duterte administration also cracked down on what it called "fake news" — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the NBI summoned social media users and citizens over their comments on pandemic response.

“Hindi dahil si BBM ang tinitira nila, kundi dahil nagpapakalat sila ng 'fake news',” Santiago said. “Huwag nilang sabihin na politika. Wala sa aking nagdidikta.”

(It isn't because the President is the subject but because they are spreading 'fake news'. They shouldn't blame this on politics. Nobody dictated on me to do this)

He added that 'fake news' has become a rampant issue, now seen as a growing national concern.

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Santiago said the agency has ample evidence to support its case, with preserved video materials and digital records.