‘Fake news, misinformation are scourges of freedom,’ says PBBM

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the flag-raising ceremony during the commemoration of the 127th Philippine independence at Rizal Park in Manila on Thursday (June 12, 2025). (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday called on his fellow Filipinos to protect the nation from fake news and misinformation, which he said are the “scourges of our freedom.”

“If we will look at what is happening around the world today, freedom is fleeting. Fake news, misinformation, herd mentality can erase our way of life, our culture, our value system that we hold so dear,” Marcos said in his speech during the grand parade at the Quirino Grandstand in the City of Manila to commemorate the 127th Independence Day.

“Ang mga kasinungalingang walang hangganan—mga balitang walang katotohanan at maling impormasyon— ito ang mga salot sa ating Kalayaan (Limitless lies—fake news and misinformation— these are the scourges of our freedom),” he added.

While he stressed that giving an opinion or criticism under the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) is not a sin but rather gives life and brilliance to the country’s democracy, Marcos cited the need to combat the lies.

Marcos said freedom must be nurtured, guarded and fought for, telling Filipinos that is not just something they inherit but a “right that we must protect every single day.”

“Nakakalungkot din na may ilan din sa ating mga kababayan ay pinipilit ang maling paniniwala para sa interes ng iba at hindi para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino. Maging mapanuri tayo lagi. Alamin natin ang totoo. Labanan ang mga kasinungalingan (It is also sad that some of our countrymen are also making false beliefs for the interest of others and not for the welfare of our fellow Filipinos. Let us always be critical. Let us know the truth. Fight the lies),” he said.

“Piliin nating maging tapat, kahit walang nakakakita. Piliin natin na manindigan, lalo na kung may nagkakamali. Piliin natin ang pagkakaisa sa gitna ng pagkakaiba (Let us choose to be honest, even when no one is watching. Let us choose to stand up, especially if someone is wrong. Let us choose unity in the midst of differences).”

‘Real’ action, service

Marcos also stressed that indifference is the “real enemy of freedom.”

He reminded the public servants to provide “real” service to the Filipinos to give them a more comfortable life.

“Ang totoong kalaban ng kalayaan ay ang pagiging manhid – manhid sa hinaing ng taumbayan, manhid sa kalagayan ng ating kapwa, manhid sa kapakanan ng ating bansa. (The real enemy of freedom is indifference – indifference to the grievances of the people, indifference to the plight of our fellow citizens, indifference to the welfare of our country),” Marcos said.

“Ang nais ng taumbayan ay tunay na pagkilos at serbisyo. Ang solusyon ay ang pagpapaginhawa ng buhay ng bawat isa. Bilisan ang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, taasan ang kalidad ng serbisyo, at i-wasto ang ating pagkukulang (What the people want is real action and service. The solution is to make everyone’s lives easier. Speed up the response to the needs of our countrymen, increase the quality of service, and correct our shortcomings),” he added.

Those who will abuse their authority and fail to fulfill their duty to serve the public will be held accountable, Marcos said.

Commemorative rites

Before attending the parade, Marcos led the nationwide commemoration of Philippine Independence with a solemn flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Park Monument in the City of Manila.

Marcos laid a wreath before the monument of national hero Jose Rizal, whose influential works, including his novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” ignited the movement for the country’s independence.

Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies were also held at the Dambanang Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite; Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Bulacan; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion in Manila North Cemetery; Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City and the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas in Angeles City, Pampanga.

This was followed by a grand float parade revisiting seven pivotal events in Philippine history. Each float presents a story of heroism from different regions, giving life to key moments that shaped the nation’s journey to freedom.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were also featured in the parade, representing the ongoing commitment to national sovereignty and public service.

The festival parade also showcased iconic celebrations from various provinces, highlighting the country’s rich cultural heritage and the unique traditions that have flourished through generations of freedom.