The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) on Sunday condemned the use of fake social media accounts to spread disinformation about the Philippines’ claims over the West Philippine Sea, calling the practice “unethical and careless.”
The statement followed Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino’s allegation that the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines hired a local company, Infinitus Marketing Solutions Inc., to operate as “keyboard warriors” spreading false narratives online.
“While our role is to uphold and strengthen the reputation of our clients and organizations, this is not to be done at the expense of societal good,” PRSP said. “We believe in the power of words and stories to shape public perception and opinion. As such, we exert utmost care and effort to ensure that we adhere to a set of ethical standards in the practice of our profession.”
During a Senate hearing on alleged Chinese espionage, Tolentino presented a supposed contract and cited 330 fake Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts involved in the spread of misinformation.
The allegations prompted Malacañang to announce an investigation, with lawmakers from both houses of Congress calling for a thorough probe and possible charges.
PRSP also urged its members to strictly follow the code of ethics and professional standards in public relations, emphasizing public interest, objectivity, accuracy, and adherence to the law.
Previous disinformation research around the 2019 elections revealed the increasing use of influencers and “troll farms,” with PR, marketing, and advertising firms reportedly offering these unethical services discreetly.
