THE Malacañang Press Corps (MPC), the official body of journalists accredited to cover the President and Malacañang events, has vehemently denied allegations that its members are receiving money to conceal the true state of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s health. In a statement released on Sunday, the MPC asserted its constant dedication to journalistic integrity and the accuracy of its reporting.
“The MPC stands by the accuracy of the reports released by our members over the past week,” the statement read. “We also condemn blatant attempts to undermine the credibility of journalists and mislead the public in order to advance the interests of a few.”
The MPC, comprising reporters from various local media outlets including the Inquirer, emphasized that their reports are based on information gathered from official sources and first-hand accounts, and are rigorously verified before public dissemination. This position stands in stark contrast to “content creators whose only capital is their social media accounts, vivid imagination, and questionable agendas,” the press corps added.
Acknowledging that the President’s health is a matter of significant national interest and security, the MPC highlighted its members’ diligent efforts to question government officials, particularly Palace press officer Claire Castro, regarding the chief executive’s condition during live-streamed press briefings. The press corps urged the public to exercise discernment amidst the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation on social media, stressing their own dedication to upholding the truth and the nation’s interests, irrespective of who holds the highest office.
The MPC’s statement comes in the wake of the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) Anti-Fake News Desk detecting a “sudden and coordinated surge” in social media disinformation targeting President Marcos Jr.’s physical condition.
Similar condemnations of this disinformation campaign have been issued by the Malacañang Cameramen Association and the Presidential Photojournalists Association. PCO Secretary Dave Gomez stated that these information operations are designed to “distract and destabilize” the government, and authorities are actively identifying perpetrators, tracing their networks, and pursuing cyber libel charges.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have also called upon Meta to enhance its safeguards against the spread of fake news online, citing its growing danger to public order, safety, and national security.
