Marcos orders DICT to monitor digital threats ahead of May 12 elections 

To ensure peaceful, clean, and fair elections for the country’s future, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to closely monitor any potential digital threats leading up to the May 12, 2025, midterm elections.

In a press statement, the Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) is working in close coordination with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 

This collaboration aims to safeguard the integrity of the elections by addressing digital security concerns.

Castro emphasized that the DICT and COMELEC partnership would establish a real-time digital command center to monitor and counteract online misinformation and disinformation that may threaten the credibility of the elections.

“Ito ay isang real-time digital command post na handang tukuyin, pigilin, at tapusin ang online misinformation and disinformation,” said Castro.

The initiative, which also seeks to promote a peaceful and transparent electoral process, highlights the administration’s commitment to ensuring a secure and credible election environment for the nation’s future.

As part of the government’s efforts, the COMELEC has established Task Force Katotohanan, Katapatan, at Katarungan sa Halalan (Task Force KKK sa Halalan), which will be tasked with monitoring and addressing any election threats. This joint DICT-COMELEC threat monitoring center will operate for two days leading up to the elections to ensure the smooth and trustworthy conduct of the polls.

In a briefing on Friday, Castro underscored the government’s determination to protect the truth and uphold democratic processes.

“Para sa hangaring malinis at tapat na halalan, nagsama-sama ang lahat ng election watchdogs mula sa mga pribadong organisasyon, simbahan, kabataan at iba pang sektor,” she said. “Sa kanilang mahigpit na pagbabantay, matitiyak na ang bawat boto ay mabibilang nang tama, at ang bawat boses ng mga mamamayan ay maririnig.”

The Philippine National Police (PNP) also reaffirmed its readiness to secure the upcoming elections. Castro quoted PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, who assured the public that the PNP is fully prepared to carry out its responsibility of safeguarding the sanctity of the vote.

“Ang PNP ay 100 porsyento na handa para sa halalan, at kami ay magsisilbi sa mga mamamayan, hindi sa mga pulitiko,” Marbil said.

Digital services

Meanwhile, TRABAHO party-list called for stronger protection, incentives, and institutional support for the country’s growing freelance workforce, in the midst of the implementation of Republic Act No. 12023, known as the Value-Added Tax on Digital Services Law.

“Freelancers are not just surviving, they are thriving despite the lack of formal support systems. Instead of imposing additional taxes on freelancers, we should be creating policies that empower and protect them,” party-list spokesperson Atty. Mitchell-David Espiritu said.

He said many freelancers rely on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, TaskUs, PayPal, and Google Workspace for their daily operations and fear that the tax would result in higher service fees or restricted access.

He added the absence of comprehensive policies protecting their rights leave some of them susceptible to abuse by foreign clients.

“We should be finding ways to formalize, incentivize, and support this sector,” Atty. Espiritu added. 

“That means access to affordable internet, tax incentives for online workers, protection from platform abuse, and inclusion in social protection programs such as healthcare and pension plans.” —Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News