The month of May recorded the least number of state- related cases of violence –so far in 2025- with a total of 45 reported incidents (18 killings and 27 injuries), monthly monitoring of Sandatahang Dahas showed. The biggest factor in the incidents of violence, however, was the May 12 elections with Mindanao as the most volatile area.

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.