PCO Calls for Stronger Social Media Regulation
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) has once again voiced its strong support for enhanced social media and online content regulation to combat the rising threat of fake news. During a recent House tri-committee hearing, PCO Secretary Jay Ruiz emphasized the urgent need to clearly define “fake news” in law and set penalties for its deliberate spread, especially during sensitive times like elections.
“Papaano kung ang tao bine-base niya ang mga desisyon niya sa mga fake news o kasinungalingan (What if people make decisions based on fake news or lies)?” Ruiz asked. He further stressed, “Isipin mo kung ang mga botante natin boboto sa impormasyon na kasinungalingan, anong klaseng democracy ang meron tayo (Imagine if our voters are casting their votes based on false information—what kind of democracy do we have)?”
The Threat to Democracy
Ruiz warned that unchecked online disinformation threatens to erode citizens’ ability to make informed decisions and could undermine democratic processes. “If you do not stop fake news, eventually our people will no longer decide based on informed decisions but based on lies,” he said, referencing how some May 12 election candidates blamed their losses on coordinated fake news attacks.
He acknowledged the right to information but stressed that this right must be limited to accurate information to preserve public trust and democracy.
Challenges with Social Media Platforms
Ruiz disclosed that Meta declined requests from the PCO and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to remove a fraudulent memorandum falsely attributed to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. This fake memo had been widely shared on Facebook and Instagram.
He questioned the influence of foreign-based social media companies that operate in the Philippines without registration or taxation. “With the absence of a law for defining what fake news is, (for) setting penalties… wala tayong panghahawakan (we have nothing to hold on to),” he said, noting that countries like Singapore and some European nations already have laws addressing online disinformation.
Current Legal Remedies and Future Plans
At present, individuals targeted by malicious disinformation can only seek redress under the Anti-Cybercrime Law, which does not specifically address fake news. Ruiz shared that the PCO and DICT are exploring signing memorandums of agreement with social media platforms to strengthen cooperation in fact-checking and limiting disinformation.
The Marcos administration has highlighted the importance of responsible digital citizenship amid rapid technological changes reshaping public discourse. This initiative aims to safeguard the public from the harms of false information and preserve democratic integrity.
For more news and updates on stronger social media regulation, visit Filipinokami.com.