Concern over online mis- and disinformation in the Philippines climbed to a record 67% in early 2025 amid a politically charged midterm election season that saw Vice President Sara Duterte impeached on corruption charges and former president Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity tied to his brutal drug war.

Amid this growing push to confront disinformation and AI risks, efforts to equip journalists with new tools also gained momentum. Newsrooms further experimented with generative AI. Rappler launched Rai, an in-house chatbot that guides users to verified information and election explainers. VERA Files deployed VERA, an AI-assisted fact-checking bot, on Facebook Messenger after piloting a tipline on Viber. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism turned one of its long-form reports into an AI-generated animated video to reach broader audiences.

Fifteen precincts will have extended voting period, but turnout in these precincts will not affect the outcome of the elections, explained Comelec Chair George Garcia.

Voting was delayed by five hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality, BARMM after residents blocked the entry of election materials and the election board members. The Marine Corps helped ease the situation but only 28% of the 3,465 clustered precincts were opened by noon.