Part 7/13:

Filipino troll factories and social media influencers have become central to the spread of disinformation. Some individuals, like die-hard supporters of Duterte and Marcos, openly admit to spreading fake news. For example, supporters like Russell Dave Abalan defend their actions as expressing loyalty, oblivious or indifferent to the falsehoods they propagate.

Influencers with significant followings are often paid or incentivized to promote politically motivated content, blurring the lines between genuine opinion and propaganda. The industry of online influence is lucrative, with some earning thousands of dollars monthly during election season. Anyone—from students to everyday citizens—can be recruited into these networks, making the disinformation landscape highly complex and adaptable.