CALLING it a “vile manipulation” that robs victims of dignity, actress Angel Aquino on Thursday, September 4, urged lawmakers to punish creators, platforms, and profiteers behind deepfake pornography.

Testifying before the Senate committee on women chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Aquino said she first learned from a friend that her face had been used in an AI-generated pornographic video. She recalled feeling nauseous, confused, and eventually furious over what she described as a revolting violation of her personhood.

She likened the ordeal to an assault that leaves no visible wounds but strips away dignity in the most obscene way.

Aquino explained that such fabrications undo years of building a name, earning credibility, and gaining respect. According to her, the manipulation remains a non-consensual sexual act using her identity and integrity.

Her concern extended beyond her own case. Aquino said other public figures may already be victims without their knowledge, citing information from Hontiveros’ office. She added that the thought of images being turned into “mere carnal entertainment” is horrifying, and questioned how ordinary women and girls without influence can be protected.

Aquino pressed for immediate action against those who create, share, or profit from deepfake pornography, warning that the damage multiplies with every click, share, and view. She urged lawmakers to ensure accountability not just for perpetrators but also for platforms and websites that allow such content to spread.

“Let this not just be a discussion. Let this result to strong, enforceable law,” she was quoted in an Inquirer report.

Another witness, content creator and entrepreneur Queen Hera, shared how her daughter was targeted. She recounted receiving a message on Instagram alerting her to images of her child on the dark web. When she checked, she found that her daughter’s face had been digitally altered and placed in a sexually explicit context.

Hera described the discovery as heartbreaking and said it left her feeling helpless, realizing that even innocent posts online were vulnerable to exploitation. “Even if your posts are completely innocent, they’re not safe from people who might see them,” she said in the same report.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Angel Aquino
• #deepfake pornography
• #Senate hearing
• #Risa Hontiveros
• #AI-generated porn
• #digital exploitation
• #non-consensual sexual abuse
• #online safety
• #women’s rights
• #Queen Hera
• #dark web exploitation
• #social media risks
• #content regulation
• #anti-deepf