Administration-aligned candidates under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition are pushing for tougher laws and better enforcement to address the persistent spread of disinformation in the Philippines.
ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo emphasized in an ABS-CBN News report that not just creators but also those who knowingly share false content should be penalized. “You have the responsibility to verify before sharing,” Tulfo said, adding that simply claiming “I just shared it” should not excuse users from liability.
A recent Social Weather Stations survey found that nearly 60% of Filipinos believe fake news on social media is a serious problem. The same percentage considers misinformation in mainstream media a significant issue.
While proposals to punish the spread of fake news are not new, they have raised concerns over freedom of speech and press. Similar laws in the past have been used against critics and legitimate commentary.
Former Senate President Vicente Sotto said he is ready to refile a bill targeting producers and sharers of fake content. Senator Francis Tolentino also expressed support, saying he backs initiatives that seek truth without suppressing press freedom.
Makati Mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay stressed in the same report that legislation must be backed by proper enforcement. She pointed out that perpetrators feel emboldened because they rarely face consequences.
Former DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos echoed the need to train law enforcement and invest in non-uniformed personnel who can tackle digital disinformation at the local level.
Experts like Dr. Jonathan Corpus Ong have long warned that disinformation in the country is often driven by organized networks tied to political and corporate interests. He argues that meaningful reforms must target these operations, not just individual users.
