THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte could become the country’s first impeachment proceeding conducted in an era dominated by social media, livestreaming platforms and generative artificial intelligence, prompting a citizens’ watchdog to mobilize volunteers nationwide against online disinformation.
Carlo Flores, executive director of Team Pinas and a convenor of Bantay Senado, said the upcoming trial will unfold in a vastly different information environment from the impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada and former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“Ito ‘yung magiging unang impeachment trial na dominant na ang social media at generative artificial intelligence (AI),” Flores said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Flores warned that the rise of AI and digital platforms has made it easier for bad actors to manipulate information and mislead the public.
“Ang medyo nag-iba ngayon, ibang complexion sa panahon ng impeachment trial this year is ‘yung disinformation na sinasadya,” Flores said.
“Ibig sabihin may infrastructure talaga o may mga taong masamang elemento ang gustong gumawa na linlangin ang taong bayan. At pinadali ito ng artificial intelligence.”
Flores noted that the Estrada impeachment unfolded before the rise of social media, while the Corona trial took place when social media was still in its infancy.
In response, Bantay Senado has begun organizing volunteers from across the country to monitor the proceedings, counter false narratives and explain developments in language ordinary Filipinos can easily understand.
Bantay Senado, a newly formed nonpartisan network of students, academics, lawyers, civil society groups and concerned citizens, is set to be formally launched on Monday at De La Salle University Manila.
The initiative aims to monitor the impeachment trial, promote public understanding of the proceedings and help ensure that the constitutional process remains transparent, fair and grounded on facts.
“Nagulat kami nang nagpatawag kami, napakadami kaagad nag-volunteer from all over the Philippines,” Flores said.
According to Flores, the initiative is anchored on three principles: truth-telling, bridge-building, and change-making.
The group plans to work with volunteer lawyers, communicators and content creators to provide fact-based explanations of the impeachment proceedings and the evidence presented during the trial.
Flores said Bantay Senado will also build communities in schools, churches, barangays and online platforms to help Filipinos better understand the impeachment process.
The initiative comes as surveys show that many Filipinos still have limited knowledge of impeachment proceedings despite growing public interest in the case.
“Fifty percent ng mga kababayan natin wala masyadong kaalaman pa sa impeachment trial, so may uhaw talaga sa kaalaman,” Flores said.
He expressed confidence that Filipinos can make informed decisions when given accurate and accessible information.
“Naniniwala tayo na sambayanang Pilipino, kapag binigyan mo ng sapat na kaalaman at nakabatay sa batas at sa bagay na nauunawaan at nakabatay sa buhay nila, talagang makikita natin na magkakaroon sila ng informed choice,”
