Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 5) — An official from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reacted to observations of some netizens about several TikTok users and influencers using similar scripts and graphics in explaining the country’s inflation reports.
During a briefing on Thursday, National Statistician Dennis Mapa was asked if he has encountered the circulating videos online showing TikTok users sharing updates on inflation or the rate of price increase.
“I am aware. I have seen some of these TikTok influencers,” he said.
Mapa said the PSA is urging users of the Chinese short-form video app to thoroughly study the subject they are presenting.
“Ang PSA ay nakikiusap sa lahat na basahin at aralin ang aming report sa inflation ng bansa. Mahalagang usapin ito at kailangang bigyan ng panahon para aralin,” the official said.
[Translation: PSA is asking everyone to read and study our report on the country’s inflation. It is an important discussion and must be given time to study.]
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Since late September, some Filipinos took to X, formerly Twitter, to air their comments on various TikTok videos uploaded by some users touching on inflation and different initiatives of the current administration.
A certain @dumidyeypee uploaded a photo on X, pointing out that those TikTok influencers used the same graphics to discuss inflation with accompanying hashtags #umaarangkadaangpilipinas, #BagongPilipinas, #2023Pilipinas, and #progresibongPilipinas.
While @dumidyeypee had also shared the links to the TikTok videos, most of them were already taken down.
The video of TikTok user sherwincadena20 remains up as of posting time. It shows a screenshot from PSA’s report on lower July inflation, which is similar to other users.
sherwincadena20 presented the graphics as “proof” of improving the inflation situation in the Philippines.
The video has so far garnered nearly 2,000 likes on TikTok.
“Kaya maraming naghihirap dito sa Pilipinas dahil sa pagtaas ng inflation natin and hindi sila marunong magtipid,” sherwincadena20 said.
[Translation: That’s why many are poor in the Philippines because of the high inflation, and they don’t know how to save.]
It was true that the inflation rate was on a downtrend in earlier months, but it again went up in August and September. As inflation accelerates anew, recent wage hikes for ordinary Filipino workers may not be enough to support rising costs as the approved daily salary increases range from a measly ₱30 to ₱40.
Other videos discussed about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s rice distribution and the Department of Agriculture’s loan program.
Another X user @elisseashley alleged that those TikTok users were also involved in the “smear campaign” against TV host and businesswoman Maggie Wilson.
