MANILA – Senate President Vicente Sotto III is set to prioritize the passage of a measure that penalizes those who are spreading false information in websites and social media platforms.
In his Senate Bill No. 9, Sotto said he wanted to impose penalties of up to P2-million or imprisonment for violators. He added the measure aims to promote responsible use of the internet.
“Filipinos have fallen prey to believing most of the click-baits, made up quotes attributed to prominent figures and digitally altered photos. This bill seeks to protect the public from the adverse effects of false and deceiving content online,” Sotto said.
He added anyone found guilty of knowingly creating or publishing false information shall be punished with imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than P300,000, or both.
Those who will be found guilty of using a fictitious online account or website in creating or publishing false information may be punished with imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than P500,000, or both.
Sotto said those who offered their services or expertise to create or publish false information may be imprisoned and/or fined, or both.
Several government officials, including President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo, became victims of spreading fictitious news write-ups online./PN
