Hundreds of largely disposable TikTok accounts amplified AI-manipulated videos showing Philippine lawmakers seemingly admitting to corruption in flood control projects.
The account behind the videos, @bistado.files or “Gising Pampanga,” posted 23 videos between January and September 2025, nine of which used deepfakes, with one reaching 1.7 million views.
Analysis of over 11,000 comments revealed coordinated activity, including repeated insults, emoji bursts, and scripted messaging designed to game TikTok’s algorithm.
TikTok permanently banned the account in November for violating policies requiring disclosure of AI-generated content, though the videos circulated across multiple platforms before removal.
The incident highlights how engagement-driven algorithms and gaps in moderation can be exploited to spread politically motivated disinformation in local contexts.
Source: PhilNews24 | November 14, 2025
TIKTOK AMPLIFIES ALLEGATIONS OF FLOOD CONTROL CORRUPTION
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