LAWMAKERS gathered on Tuesday at a Tri-Committee hearing to address the alarming spread of disinformation and fake news on social media. Expressing grave concern over the weaponization of digital platforms, the rise of organized troll networks, and the growing influence of cyberbullying, legislators underscored the urgent need for government intervention to regulate the digital space without infringing on freedom of expression
The TriCom is composed of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, on Information and Communications Technology and on Public Information and was formed to conduct an inquiry into the spread of disinformation on social media.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers emphasized that their purpose was not to curtail free speech but to establish accountability in the digital space.
“We are gathered here today not to silence voices, suppress free speech or curtail the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Instead, we are here to draw the line between responsible discourse and the deliberate, systematic abuse of digital platforms to spread lies, destroy reputations, and manipulate public perception,” he stated.
Barbers called for a regulatory framework for social media, similar to the ethical standards upheld by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for broadcast media.
“Our goal is to develop a code of conduct for content creators, ensuring accountability and ethical responsibility in this rapidly evolving digital space,” he explained.
Barbers further highlighted the rising influence of trolls, vloggers and malicious actors who have weaponized social media to spread disinformation and attack public figures.
“In recent years, we have witnessed the alarming rise of trolls, vloggers and malicious online actors who, under the guise of exercising free speech, systematically spread fake news and engage in character assassination,” he said.
He warned that many of these activities are linked to illicit financial sources, saying, “The sources of funding for these operations remain in the shadows – possibly linked to illicit activities such as POGO operations or criminal syndicates.”
Meanwhile, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez raised concerns over how misinformation has affected public health and personal security, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a prime example of how fake news can endanger lives.
“Ang masamang epekto ng disinformation at misinformation ay lalong umalingawngaw sa gitna ng isang global crisis sa ating kalusugan nung panahon ng COVID-19 pandemic, kung saan talamak ang paglabas ng mali-maling impormasyon sa internet,” he said.
Fernandez also noted that cybercrimes have become more common than traditional crimes, affecting many Filipinos.
“Sino rito ang nabiktima ng scam o may kilalang nabiktima ng scam? Malamang lahat din tayo. Dahil sa social media, ang cybercrimes ngayon ay maituturing na natin na mas madalas pang mangyari sa buhay ng isang karaniwang tao kesa sa mga common crimes,” he said.
Another growing concern, according to Fernandez, is the normalization of toxic behavior and cyberbullying, particularly among minors.
“Our children start to experience self-hate and resort to self-harm. Bagamat sinusubukan na matugunan ang mga insidente ng cyberbullying, ito pa rin ay maaaring maging sanhi ng depression, suicidal thoughts, at iba pang mga long-term negative effect sa ating mental health,” he warned.
He also strongly condemned trolls who actively spread misinformation about the West Philippine Sea, questioning their loyalty to the nation.
“Mismong ang paggiit ng ating pagmamay-ari ng West Philippine Sea ay apektado sa paglaganap ng kasinungalingan sa socmed. Ika nga ni Justice Antonio Carpio, ang pag-aangkin ng China sa West Philippine Sea ay maituturing na ‘fake news of the century.’ Ang mga Pinoy na trolls naman na nagpapalaganap ng maling impormasyon tungkol dito, pwede ba nating ituring bilang mga traydor ng bayan?” he asked.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., sponsor of House Resolution (HR) No. 286, emphasized both the power and danger of social media, noting its ability to connect communities while also spreading harmful content.
“Social media bridges gaps: pinag-uugnay nito ang mga tao; bumubuo ito ng mga komunidad; nagpapalawak ng kamalayan; at nagsusulong ng pagbabahagi ng kaalaman,” he said.
Citing recent studies, Gonzales highlighted the sheer volume of Filipinos exposed to social media content daily.
“According to an online article by DataReportal, the Philippines was home to 86.75 million social media users in January 2024, equating to 73.4 percent of the total population,” he stated.
He noted that Facebook remains the most accessible platform, with some mobile networks offering free data access to the site.
However, Gonzales warned that while social media has positive uses, it has also become a conduit for hate speech, cyberbullying and misinformation.
“We all experience browsing our social media platforms and more often, we come across racist, sexist, homophobic, religious and political-based hate contents,” he said.
To address these concerns, HR 286 seeks to improve transparency and accountability mechanisms for social media platforms.
“Most especially, it calls for an enhanced content moderation, reporting systems and safeguards against misuse of algorithms,” Gonzales explained.
Additionally, he emphasized the need for stronger digital literacy programs and a review of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, to address emerging threats posed by digital misinformation.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel took a cautious yet firm stance on social media regulation, acknowledging both its benefits and dangers.
“Social media has transformed how we communicate and access information. Yet, this same platform has become a fertile ground for the rapid dissemination of falsehoods and misleading narratives,” he noted.
Pimentel emphasized the delicate balance between fighting fake news and protecting free speech, saying that Congress must carefully craft legislation that ensures accountability while preserving democratic freedoms.
“As lawmakers, our role is not only to understand the scope and nature of this phenomenon but also to consider our responsibility in creating a framework that protects the integrity of information while respecting the fundamental principles of free speech,” he said.
He also raised critical questions that lawmakers must address in crafting effective policies.
“We must ask ourselves: What constitutes fake news? How can we differentiate between misinformation and legitimate debate? What role should social media companies play in monitoring and curbing the spread of false information?” Pimentel said.
Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose “Joboy” Aquino II pointed out that the speed and scale of disinformation in the digital age have made it a national security concern.
“In today’s digital era, its speed and impact are unprecedented, which compels us to address this head-on. Intentionally misleading information poses significant risks to our society – undermining public trust, threatening public safety, and influencing public opinion,” he said.
The lawmakers agreed that fake news is a growing national threat that requires immediate intervention.
Barbers warned that if left unchecked, disinformation could further erode trust in government institutions and undermine democracy.
“If we continue to ignore this growing problem, we are failing the people we have sworn to protect,” he stressed.
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