Manila: House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chair, Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao de Sur, on Friday warned that deepfakes, trolls, and fake news could proliferate online anew as the House moves forward with impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to Philippines News Agency, Adiong mentioned in an ambush interview that he had already expected disinformation efforts to surface as public attention intensifies on the proceedings. He noted that such activities have become a part of the current political landscape, urging the public to remain vigilant and critical of the information they encounter on social media.

The House Committee on Justice has begun tackling the impeachment complaints against Duterte after finding them sufficient in form and substance, setting the stage for the next phases of the process. Adiong expressed surprise at the level of support for the proceedings at the committee level, where the panel recorded 54 votes, which he considered a positive indication for the process.

Adiong also appealed to government security agencies to ensure the safety of Ramil Madriaga, a key personality whose affidavit forms part of the impeachment complaints against Duterte. He highlighted the importance of Madriaga's testimony, which could play a crucial role once the committee reaches the stage where witnesses might be called to corroborate the allegations raised in the complaints.

The seriousness of the claims raised by Madriaga could explain reports that individuals have allegedly tried to approach him, Adiong noted. He emphasized that the Vice President retains full access to legal remedies as she prepares her defense, expecting her to utilize all possible legal avenues.