TikTok Trust and Safety Outreach and Partnerships Manager Waskito Jati and Internews Project Manager Gian Libot.
As part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe and positive online environment for its Philippine community, TikTok marked Safer Internet Day by organizing a series of events in collaboration with civil society organizations, safety experts, content creators, and election watchdogs.
These initiatives focused on addressing emerging digital threats, upholding election integrity, and fostering a secure space for user engagement.
Engagement with civil society organizations
On February 11, TikTok hosted a private session with 30 civil society organizations specializing in child protection, misinformation prevention, women’s rights, human rights, mental health, and disaster response. This discussion aimed to deepen understanding of local concerns and enhance collaborative efforts.
Participants included TikTok public policy manager Peachy Paderna, trust and safety outreach and partnerships manager Waskito Jati, Internews project manager Gian Libot, Legal Network of Truthful Elections (LENTE) executive director Atty. Ona Caritos, and TikTok Safety Advisory Council member and creator Mona Magno-Veluz (@mightymagulang).
Panel discussions covered key topics such as digital safety, misinformation, election integrity, and responsible content creation.
Caritos highlighted the significance of ensuring credible elections, “With misinformation posing challenges to electoral processes, we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with TikTok, which began in 2022. Our goal is to further this collaboration for the 2025 elections and beyond, emphasizing digital literacy and the dissemination of verified information.”
Jati reinforced the platform’s dedication to safe digital expression, “TikTok champions creativity and authentic self-expression within a secure environment. While we operate globally, we adopt a localized approach to content moderation and regulatory compliance, valuing our partnerships with local organizations.”
Among the participating organizations were the Ateneo Human Rights Center, Center of Migrant Advocacy, Child Fund Philippines, Child Rights Coalition (CRC) Asia, Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines, EPCAT Philippines, International Justice Mission (IJM), Internews, Plan International Pilipinas, Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Save the Children Philippines, Stairway Foundation, Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Asia (TDH), and the UP Institute of Human Rights.
Empowering creators
In collaboration with the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP), TikTok conducted a private session with 40 Filipino content creators.
The session aimed to educate them about TikTok’s Community Guidelines and election policies and encourage their participation in the #ThinkTwice Digital Literacy Campaign.
Paderna and Magno-Veluz led discussions on ethical and responsible content creation.
“TikTok provides a platform where creators can express themselves, showcase their talents, and engage with their communities. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility to ensure that content is ethical and adheres to digital literacy standards,” said Magno-Veluz. “Educating ourselves and our followers can help maintain TikTok as a safe and creative space.”
Safety Advisory Council Member Mona Magno-Veluz and TikTok Public Policy Manager Peachy Paderna.
Jel Directo, president of CICP, emphasized the role of influencers in fostering a secure online environment: “As the Philippine midterm elections approach, it is crucial for influencers to contribute to a transparent and ethical digital space. We appreciate TikTok’s efforts to educate us on their policies and look forward to working together to promote responsible content creation.”
Strengthening election integrity
Through its partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), LENTE, and the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), TikTok facilitated discussions with government agencies, civil society organizations, and election watchdogs to enhance election transparency.
These sessions also provided an opportunity to review TikTok’s policies regarding government, political, and political party accounts.
Representatives from key government agencies, including the Bangsamoro Information Office, COMELEC, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), and the Philippine Information Agency, participated in the event.
Additionally, civil society organizations such as Active Vista/Dakila, the Center for Migrant Advocacy, iDEFEND, the Democratic Insights Group, the Philippine Alliance for Human Rights Advocates, and Samahan ng mga Nagkakaisang Pamilyang Pilipino joined the discussions.
Election watchdogs, including NAMFREL and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), played a significant role in the sessions. NAMFREL national chairperson Angel S. Averia, Jr. underscored the importance of reliable election information, “We commend TikTok’s initiative in providing a platform for credible electoral information. This collaboration is vital in combating misinformation and educating Filipinos about their electoral rights and responsibilities.”
By fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, TikTok continues to enhance digital literacy, promote responsible content creation, and uphold election integrity, ensuring its platform remains a positive and secure space for its growing Philippine community.
