The Philippines’ disinformation paradox: Cracking down on loyal bloggers turned critics

In 2022, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte rose to power with the help of hyper-partisan influencers — online propagandists and attack dogs who dominated social media feeds. But when cracks appeared in the Marcos-Duterte alliance, those same bloggers turned their claws on the president they once defended.

Now, pro-Marcos lawmakers are cracking down on these once-loyal influencers for spreading disinformation, while opposition figures across party lines are fighting back too.

Regine Cabato sits down with Southeast Asia disinformation expert Ross Tapsell, who unpacks how a regime built on propaganda is now trying to control it, and what this disinformation paradox means for the future of Philippine politics.

This episode is engineered by Anthony Tobias. Jaemark Tordecilla is our editor-at-large.

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