Pulse Asia yesterday denied conducting a survey showing that the Dutertes were leading in their bids for various seats in the local elections.
This came after polling firm Pulse Asia flagged a fabricated survey that falsely showed former president Rodrigo Duterte enjoying a commanding lead of over 55 percent against Davao City mayoralty rival Karlo Nograles.
“We wish to clarify that Pulse Asia did not conduct any of this survey. Since our founding in 1999, Pulse Asia has upheld the highest professional standards in conducting surveys and research,” Pulse Asia Research Inc. President Ronald Holmes said in a statement.
The fake survey, which was supposedly conducted from April 26 to May 6, and was posted on the Facebook page of Maisug Mindanao, also claimed that other members of the Duterte family running for elective offices were ahead of their respective opponents.
Despite being picked up by some local newspapers, Pulse Asia has categorically denied any involvement in creating or releasing the alleged survey.
“We strongly denounce the unauthorized use of our name to spread false or misleading information,” Holmes added.
The fake survey sparked backlash online, with several netizens accusing the Duterte camp of once again resorting to disinformation tactics.
Several social media users suggested that the fake survey was part of a broader effort to condition the public’s mind and lay the groundwork to contest election results should Duterte lose.
Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained at The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity over alleged extrajudicial killings during his administration’s controversial drug war.
Meanwhile, Malacañang yesterday urged the public to immediately report any form of election-related fake news, misinformation, and disinformation through dedicated hotlines, e-mail, and social media channels.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz said reporting false content would help protect the integrity of the 2025 midterm elections.
He explained that the move is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to combat fake news and disinformation, especially during the May 12 elections.
Ruiz said the PCO has partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) in tracking and shutting down fake news in the online sphere.
The Palace media chief said authorities have acted swiftly against early attempts to spread false information as part of the government’s intensified efforts to ensure clean and credible elections.
“And now, there are only a few, but we have already acted on them, we have taken down immediately those who spread fake news. No one should spread fake news, especially when the vote is very critical,” Ruiz said in Filipino.