MANILA, Philippines — Philippine officials are under scrutiny for sharing a video produced using artificial intelligence (AI) that seemingly defends Vice President Sara Duterte against impeachment allegations.

The video, which was shared by Senator Ronald dela Rosa and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte on social media, depicted students attacking what they termed the 'politically motivated' impeachment process and alleged selective justice.

The authenticity of the students in the video was quickly challenged, with social media users highlighting that the individuals featured were not real.

In response, Malacañang emphasized the dangers of spreading "fake news," asserting that such actions could significantly undermine public trust in government officials.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro remarked during a press briefing that disinformation should not originate from government representatives.

Castro stated that officials could face penalties for disseminating misleading AI-generated content, stressing that consequences would depend on their level of involvement, which includes not just sharing but also offering personal opinions on the content.

The potential for legal action, such as libel or slander, was also mentioned, though Castro noted that it is essential to ascertain the specifics of each situation before determining potential liabilities.

Senator Dela Rosa defended the statements made in the disputed video, prompting a response from Malacañang asserting that no content can be considered legitimate if it derives from fake sources.

Officials involved in propagating the misleading video were urged to acknowledge that the content they circulated was fabricated.

The backdrop of this incident includes the impeachment of Vice President Duterte by the House of Representatives earlier this year, primarily over her alleged mishandling of confidential funds and threats made towards President Marcos and other officials.

Vice President Duterte has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In defense of the shared video, Duterte stated that there is no issue with individual accounts using AI-generated content for non-commercial purposes, particularly if it supports political figures.

In parallel developments, Vice President Duterte claimed an increase in the use of troll farms targeting her, following reports implicating a Makati-based public relations firm, Comm&Sense Inc., in orchestrating a campaign to discredit her.

The organization has been linked to a coordinated operation on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook to promote pro-Marcos and anti-Duterte narratives.

Duterte expressed concerns about these online attacks being designed to hinder her potential candidacy in the 2028 elections.

She claimed that multiple entities, not just the firm named in the report, are involved in such negative campaigning.

Despite these allegations, Duterte indicated she has no intention to pursue legal action against Comm&Sense Inc., suggesting that the exposure of the group's actions through AI findings is effectively damaging their credibility.