Malacañang has officially declared a “zero tolerance” policy toward the spread of disinformation, vowing to pursue criminal cases against individuals maliciously circulating fake news about a supposed “energy lockdown” and new COVID-19 restrictions.
On Sunday, April 5, 2026, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) warned that those exploiting the current energy crisis to sow public panic will be held accountable “to the fullest extent of the law.”
The crackdown comes after two major disinformation campaigns gained traction over the Holy Week break, taking advantage of the reduced news cycle:
- The “Energy Lockdown”: A fraudulent advisory, complete with a forged Department of Energy (DOE) logo, claimed a national “energy lockdown” would begin on April 20, 2026. It urged the public to stockpile food, water, and power equipment like solar panels and power banks.
- The “Cicada” Variant: A separate hoax claimed that an emergency lockdown would be implemented on April 10 due to a supposed “BA.3.2” or “Cicada” COVID-19 variant. The Department of Health (DOH) has since confirmed that no such variant has been detected in the Philippines and that case numbers are actually 60% lower than last year.
Acting PCO Secretary Dave Gomez emphasized that spreading false news is a serious criminal offense. Under the current legal framework:
- Revised Penal Code (Article 154): Publishing false news that endangers public order is punishable by up to six months in prison.
- Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175): If the misinformation is spread online, the penalty is doubled to one year of imprisonment.
“Spreading disinformation undermines public trust, destabilizes the economy, and threatens the welfare of every Filipino during an energy emergency,” Gomez stated. “Any attempt to mislead the public about energy security, supply, or pricing will be treated as a serious offense.”
The Palace has mobilized its newly created Anti-Fake News Desk, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), to identify and file charges against “flagrant” disseminators. This task force is part of the “Oplan Kontra Fake News” initiative, which monitors social media and information platforms for coordinated disinformation campaigns.
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a one-year state of national energy emergency, officials clarified that this is a strategic move to stabilize the sector and expand fuel subsidies—not a precursor to any form of movement restriction or “lockdown.”
The government is urging the public to rely exclusively on official channels for updates. With the Strait of Hormuz “safe passage” agreement now in place and fuel subsidies set to expand on Monday, April 6, authorities insist that the focus remains on keeping the economy open and the energy supply stable.