Senator Lacson raises concern on AI manipulation of evidence in impeachment trial

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson has underscored the importance of properly handling and authenticating digital evidence, saying reliable forensic methods are essential as artificial intelligence (AI) makes manipulated content increasingly difficult to detect.

During his questioning of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, Lacson sought assurance that the video of Duterte's online press conference had been properly authenticated before being presented as evidence.

"I'm not here to question the authenticity, I just want to be assured dahil sabi ko nga kanina pagka sa AI napakahirap talaga almost impossible to distinguish it from the original video or source," Lacson said.

Calilung testified before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court that the recording of Duterte's online press conference—where she allegedly made threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.—was not generated using AI.

Responding to Lacson's questions, the NBI agent said he used an open-source application to create a screen recording of the Facebook livestream. He added that he authenticated the recording by comparing it with the original Facebook video and verifying that both versions contained identical content.

While acknowledging Calilung's training and experience as an NBI agent since 2021 and his appearances in several court proceedings, Lacson said his questions were intended to strengthen the credibility of the evidence before the impeachment court.

"Kaya ko tinanong yan, para additional na magamit sa korte, likewise sa impeachment court," Lacson said.

-Paraluman News