Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, expresses his support for the proposed P2.714-billion budget of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and its attached agencies and corporations during the agency’s budget deliberation on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau photo release

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17642460960702cd31dc0-9a00-442b-85f1-9a534dbf2a15.jpg.webp" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Sen. Robinhood Padilla, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, expresses his support for the proposed P2.714-billion budget of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and its attached agencies and corporations during the agency’s budget deliberation on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau photo release</div>MANILA — Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla filed a resolution Thursday evening calling for a Senate investigation into the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and what he said was its dissemination of “unverified, potentially propagandizing, and misleading information,” citing recent incidents that he said have undermined public trust in government communication.In Senate Resolution No. 188, Padilla urged the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, of which he is chair, to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation to strengthen communication standards across government agencies and to ensure accountability in how official information is released.Padilla stressed that “effective, accurate, and responsible public communication” is critical to transparency and public trust.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/26/castro-denies-talking-to-troll-tells-padilla-to-reveal-audio-clip-source-1516">&#x27;Saan niya nakuha ito?&#x27; Castro denies talking to troll, tells Padilla to reveal audio clip source </a></div>The resolution cites what he said is growing public concern over instances in which PCO communications were described as inconsistent, unverified, or delivered in a combative or rhetorical tone rather than grounded in data.Padilla referenced commentary criticizing the PCO’s communication style, which some observers claimed risked prioritizing propaganda over factual reporting.The resolution outlines several instances that Padilla said triggered calls for stronger oversight of the PCO:• November 16: During News5’s “Protesta!” special coverage, the Palace spokesperson engaged in a heated exchange with political analyst Malou Tiquia, who later remarked that a presidential information officer should “give data…and not do much propaganda.”• November 17: The PCO announced that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had accepted the resignations of former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.Bersamin later denied resigning, raising concerns about the accuracy and vetting of the PCO’s announcements.• November 23: A Daily Tribune opinion column by Jason Magno criticized the PCO’s refusal to clarify details surrounding Bersamin’s alleged resignation, describing its approach as “stonewalling.”A search of the Daily Tribune&#x27;s website found no results for a columnist of that name. A piece that discusses Bersamin&#x27;s departure and uses the term &quot;stonewalling&quot; was published on November 27 and was written by Chito Lozada.• November 25: An editorial by Philippine Star columnist Alex Magno warned that overuse of the term “destabilization” by government spokespersons risks stoking public fear and discrediting critics.• November 26: The Palace Press Officer labeled Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement expressing readiness to assume the presidency as a “form of political destabilization,” a remark Padilla said contributed to unnecessary public agitation.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/25/sotto-advises-padilla-against-naming-individuals-if-uncertain-on-information-1943">Sotto advises Padilla against naming individuals if uncertain on information </a></div>Padilla said these incidents demonstrate the PCO’s “pivotal role in framing national issues and shaping public perception,” and thus its obligation to ensure accuracy, transparency, and responsible messaging.The proposed inquiry seeks to determine how the PCO vets sensitive information and whether legislative reforms are needed to prevent the spread of contradictory or misleading statements from official channels.The PCO, and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/02/22/19/duterte-defends-pcoos-europe-trip-govt-needs-propaganda">its predecessor the Presidential Communications Operations Office</a>, has historically defended the President and the administration and promoted its positions and perspectives.

Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla filed a resolution Thursday evening calling for a Senate investigation into the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) over its alleged dissemination of “unverified, potentially propagandizing, and misleading information".

Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla filed a resolution Thursday evening calling for a Senate investigation into the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) over its alleged dissemination of “unverified, potentially propagandizing, and misleading information".

Padilla seeks Senate probe into PCO over 'misleading, propagandizing' information

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Padilla seeks Senate probe into PCO over 'misleading, propagandizing' information

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 27, 2025 08:45 PM PHT

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Updated November 27, 2025 08:54 PM PHT

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