By Gabriel Kim Leal
(March 24, 2025) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday stressed that vloggers and other individuals spreading fake news online could face charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
This came amid the hearing of the tri-committee of the House of Representatives on fake news and disinformation, which has focused on vloggers and content creators—many of whom are proud supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Fake news can cause panic. So we just want to be on the right side of the law. Dapat na mawala naman (‘yun) kasi it can cause a lot of unsettlement. We don’t want that to happen,” said DOJ secretary Boying Remulla.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) already launched investigations into at least 20 individuals suspected of disseminating false information online. According to the NBI, many of the suspects follow recurring themes and narratives.
“You all know that it’s bad to peddle fake news or lies. Hindi maganda ‘yan, especially (since) digital media has become a very powerful tool,” added Remulla. “It’s worth looking at the life of the majority, not the minority who may wish to create chaos in the country.”
Last Friday, the NBI arrested a vlogger from Cebu who admitted to fabricating and sharing content claiming that Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. supported the legalization of drugs.
Following the arrest, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) warned law enforcement agencies that allowing the government to decide what is true or false could lead to censorship and a violation of the 1987 Constitution.
The CHR cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in Disini v. Secretary of Justice in 2014, which stated that the government’s threats of punishment for certain online content could have a chilling effect on free speech.
“The CHR remains vigilant in monitoring possible infringements on the fundamental right to freedom of expression to avoid the overbearing application of in terrorem effect of criminal law on the well-meaning exercise of fundamental rights,” said the CHR in a statement on Monday.
(With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)
(PM)
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