PAGCOR Reviews 2026 Photography Contest Finalists Amid AI, Digital Manipulation Concerns.

MANILA- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is conducting a more thorough review of the finalists in its 2026 Photography Contest following concerns raised on social media over the authenticity of some of the submitted photographs.
PAGCOR said it has taken note of questions regarding whether some of the 48 finalist entries complied with the contest’s rules, particularly those concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital manipulation.
The finalists were selected from nearly 3,500 entries submitted nationwide through the contest’s established screening and judging process.
According to PAGCOR, the entries were evaluated by a panel of respected professionals from the fields of photography and media, similar to the judging process used in previous editions of the competition.
“PAGCOR places a premium on fairness and the integrity of the competition,” the agency said.
In response to the concerns, PAGCOR said it is undertaking an additional and more comprehensive examination of all entries to determine whether they meet the contest’s requirements.
The review is intended to ensure that all participating photographs comply with the competition rules and that every photographer is given a fair and level playing field.
PAGCOR also stressed that it will take appropriate action on any verified violations in accordance with the contest rules.
The agency thanked the participating photographers and the public for their interest in the competition and assured them that it remains committed to maintaining a fair, credible and transparent process.
The review comes ahead of the scheduled announcement of the 2026 PAGCOR Photography Contest winners on September 15, 2026.
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