THE House Tri Committee resumed its joint inquiry on Tuesday into checking the proliferation of misleading and malicious contents on social media.
According to Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, who chaired Tuesday’s hearing, the inquiry is aimed at developing legislative measures that will enhance social media transparency, combat cybercrimes and promote digital safety through public awareness.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers clarified that the inquiry does not seek to suppress free speech, citing that the right to express opinions is enshrined in the Constitution.
“We are all aware that this is provided for in our Constitution. And we’d like to respect and honor the right of everyone to his own opinion and to his own expression,” he said.
He added that the committee aims to create a policy framework preventing social media platforms from being used to spread fake news — misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.
“Yung sa atin lamang po ay isang polisiya or framework na kung saan ay hindi po magamit ang mga social media platforms for spreading fake news, or espousing disinformation, misinformation or malinformation,” he added.
Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano proposed that social media platforms operating in the country may be classified as public utilities. However, Republic Act 11659 or the Public Service Act does not list these platforms as public utilities, necessitating amendment of the said law.
“Siguro dapat lang din po na we should amend the Public Service (Act) because the social media platform, in this case, Google, YouTube, and all other social media platforms, are not included in the list of all public utilities under the Public Service Act. Kasi how can you regulate something that is not covered by the law?” he asked.
Lawyer Yves Gonzales, Google Philippines’ head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, listed YouTube’s approach to combating fake news by removing policy-violating content, raising high-quality information, reducing recommendations of borderline content and rewarding trusted creators.
“By employing this framework, YouTube seeks to balance its commitments to preserving an open internet and being a positive contributor to a safe, healthy, and well-informed society,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Tri Comm issued a subpoena ad testificandum to social media personalities and vloggers — Elizabeth Joey Cruz, Dr. Richard Mata, Ethel Pineda Garcia, Aeron Peña, Krizette Laureta-Chu, Suzanne Batalla, Sass Rogando Sasot, Mary Jean Reyes, Mark Anthony Lopez, Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Lorraine Badoy and Eric Celiz.
The invited individuals were absent from the hearing and did not respond to a previously issued show cause order.
Government and media representatives present at the hearing also expressed their support for legislative efforts to curb the spread of fake news, particularly on social media.
The inquiry is based on House Resolution 2147 filed by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. which aims to craft legislative measures to address the proliferation of fake news in these platforms. The joint panel is composed of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology and Public Information.
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