Pokwang warns she is not an endorser of online gambling, says AI was used in video

Pokwang has warned the public that she is not an endorser of online gambling. 

On Instagram Stories Thursday, the Kapuso comedienne posted a video of a woman in her likeness that was uploaded by a certain Facebook account called JL16 Bigwin. 

In the clip, the woman endorsed online gambling to viewers. The post's caption also named Pokwang and her occupation as a comedian and TV host.

"AI alert!!!!" warned Pokwang in her Instagram Story. "Hindi po totoo na nag endorse ako ng online gambling na ito!" 

She also called on the public to report the said Facebook account and tagged the National Bureau of Investigation. 

According to Nelson Canlas' report on "24 Oras" Thursday, the clip of Pokwang was actually taken from one of her live selling videos and was overlaid with an AI-generated audio. 

The actress affirmed that she does not endorse online gambling and called on the public to be vigilant against deepfakes, also known as videos or images generated through artificial intelligence (AI). 

"Sa mga nakakapanood po nito, paki-block na lang. Hindi po talaga ako nag-e-endorse sa mga online gaming. Bilang ina, alam ko pong hindi maganda ang sugal sa pamilya. Nakakasira po 'yan. Ingat po tayo kasi ang lala talaga ng AI ngayon, sobrang ang lala," she said. 

The report highlighted red flags or signs to watch for to determine deepfake content from a real one. 

• Observe if the audio used in the clip matches the actual mouth movements of the person in the video
• Check if the account that posted or shared the content is legitimate and trustworthy
• Examine if the personality actually endorses the said product or service

According to a previous report by Raffy Tima on "24 Oras" in December 2024, deepfake content is becoming widespread, with the government and experts expressing concern about its role in the spread of disinformation. 

Aside from copying a person's likeness, deepfake content can also make them speak in different languages and deliver false messages. 

Carlo Nazareno, the Director for Rights of Democracy.net.ph, gave tips on how to spot deepfakes, such as observing a person's physical features in the video and the video's actual message.  

"Tingnan mo na mabuti 'yung ngipin habang nagsasalita. Minsan nagwa-warp 'yung ngipin, pati 'yung labi. So, 'yun 'yung isang bantayan. Pero 'yung pinakababantayan natin 'yung mensahe mismo. Tanungin natin kung may parang agenda ba itong video na pinapanood natin," he had said. 

Data analyst and AI ethics advocate Dominic Ligot echoed the same sentiments, advising social media users to scrutinize the message of the video and study its source. 

"Dapat matuto tayo to think of the context, ano ba ibig sabihin nun? Ano 'yung intention or mukhang intention nung content or video, may sinisiraan ba? Or meron bang hina-hard sell na something products or services," said Ligot. 

—CDC, GMA Integrated News