13 November 2024 – House of Representatives
The Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of UP-NCPAG, in collaboration with the House of Representatives, hosted a Knowledge Sharing Forum titled “Safeguarding the Philippine Midterm Elections” held at the Speaker Belmonte Hall, Southwing Annex of the House of Representatives. The forum brought together experts from various fields to discuss how AI, if misused, could compromise the integrity of the 2025 Philippine Midterm Elections.
The forum tackled the responsible and irresponsible applications of AI, particularly the risks posed by deepfakes and digital deception. Key resource speakers included Engr. Julius Noah H. Sempio from the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute; Mr. Dominic Ligot, CEO and CTO of CirroLytix; and Atty. Maria Lourdes Fugoso-Alcain, Chief of Staff at the Office of Commissioner Nelson Celis, Task Force on Katotohanan, Katapatan at Katarungan sa Halalan. Their discussions laid the groundwork for understanding how AI could either strengthen or destabilize electoral processes, depending on its application.
The forum was further enriched by a panel discussion moderated by CPED Director Dr. Enrico L. Basilio, and with the insights from Police Colonel Jay Danao Guillermo, Spokesperson of the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police; Atty. Gerald Vincent A. Sosa, State Counsel at the Office of Cybercrime, Department of Justice; and Mr. Angel S. Averia, Jr., National Chairperson of the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL). Each shared their expertise on the intersection of AI with politics, labor, and law enforcement, emphasizing the broader implications of this technology on governance and society. The dialogue explored how AI-driven tools, such as deepfakes, could undermine public trust in electoral systems if left unchecked.
A highlight of the forum was the speech, as well as the active participation of Hon. Lani Mercado-Revilla, Representative of the 2nd District of Cavite. She posed a crucial question to the guest organizations: how can Congress provide legislative support and allocate the necessary resources to combat these emerging threats? Her query emphasized the role of policymakers in ensuring that technological advancements do not outpace the regulatory frameworks designed to protect democratic institutions.
The forum concluded that it is evident that AI’s potential misuse, particularly in creating deepfakes and perpetuating digital deception, poses a real threat to the integrity of elections. Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to craft responsive measures that safeguard democratic processes.
CPED also reaffirmed its commitment to fostering informed discourse and evidence-based policymaking to address the complexities of technology in governance.
