RECENT reports indicating that the country’s intelligence community is investigating claims of foreign funding for past anti-government protests versus corruption have reignited widespread concerns regarding foreign interference in Philippine politics.

Many observers interpret this inquiry as a reaffirmation of long-held suspicions that external forces are seeking to manipulate domestic affairs, potentially aiming for regime change.

With yet another significant anti-corruption rally scheduled for today, November 30, it is unsurprising that public speculation has focused on China—a nation currently embroiled in escalating tensions with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over its expansive claims in the resource-abundant Philippine Sea—as a possible meddler in the country’s external affairs.

China’s assertive stance in the region, coupled with the Marcos administration’s more resolute response, has made it a convenient, and for some, a credible suspect.

This is not the first instance of such allegations arising. In past years, China faced accusations of funding anti-Marcos social media campaigns designed to flood digital platforms with misinformation aimed at undermining the administration and prompting public calls for his resignation.

Such incidents highlight a concerning reality: disinformation, whether fueled by foreign or domestic sources, has become sophisticated enough to create fabricated national controversies.

Moreover, positioning  Vice President Sara Duterte as China’s favored alternative to President Marcos—due to perceptions that she is more amenable to Beijing—only exacerbates political paranoia in the absence of evidence.

Unsubstantiated narratives like these serve no purpose other than to deepen societal divisions and undermine trust in institutions.

If credible intelligence suggests foreign involvement in efforts to destabilize politics, the government should take appropriate action, including filing a diplomatic protest. Conversely, if the allegations lack substance or clarity, they should not be allowed to permeate public consciousness.

In a time when disinformation, geopolitical tensions, and domestic rivalries abound, the Philippines cannot afford to entertain speculative accusations.#