Recently in the City of Muntinlupa, Mayor Ruffy Biazon denounced the spread of a digitally altered video that falsely portrayed him supporting a different candidate for the city’s congressional seat, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. The mayor has warned the public not to be fooled by the manipulated video. The local elections are only a few weeks away from happening.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon denounced the spread of a manipulated video that falsely showed him endorsing another candidate for congressman.
“Babala sa publiko! Huwag malinlang! Ang altered video na ito ay pawang kasinungalingan! (Warning to the public! Do not be deceived! This altered video is a lie!),” Biazon posted on Facebook.
Biazon’s original video showed him endorsing Allen Fresnedi Ampaya, current barangay chairman of Poblacion, as his candidate for vice mayor in the May 12 national and local elections.
The video was altered to show Biazon endorsing a candidate for congressman in the lone district of Muntinlupa. Biazon is endorsing reelectionist and partymate Rep. Jaime Fresnedi as congressman.
“May nagkakalat ng false, misleading, digitally altered material na naglalagay sa aking pagkatao sa hindi magandang paningin ng tao, gamit ang video material na walang pahintulot, sa panahon na pinagbabawal ang political campaign for or against any candidate (Someone is spreading false, misleading, digitally altered material that puts my character in a bad light, using video material without permission, during a time when political campaigning for or against any candidate is prohibited),” he said, adding that the video was posted on Good Friday, which was declared by the Commission on Elections as a day where campaigning was prohibited.
Biazon said they are studying the filing of a case for violation of Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 (Omnibus Election Code) and Comelec Resolution No. 11064 (guidelines on the use of social media, artificial intelligence and internet technology for digital election campaign).
“Ito ay may kinalaman sa unauthorized copying, alteration of content and message at pag post ng manipulated video material para palabasin na may sinasabi akong hindi ko sinabi kapalit ng mensahe na taliwas sa aking pinaniniwalaan, na ang layunin ay malinlang ang mga taong makakapanood nito (This involves unauthorized copying, alteration of content and message and posting of manipulated video material to make it appear that I am saying something that I did not say in exchange for a message that is contrary to what I believe, with the aim of deceiving the people who will watch it),” the mayor said.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, were you able to see the manipulated video about the mayor? If you did, does the video look fake or real? Do you think the person responsible for the manipulated video will be caught and be held accountable soon?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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