By Gabriel Kim Leal
(December 9, 2024) – A pair of lawmakers in the House of Representatives on Monday filed a measure seeking to crack down on troll farms and false information ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.
Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Almario and his wife, PBA Party-list Rep. Margarita Nograles-Almario, filed House Bill (HB) No. 11178 or the Anti-Troll Farm and Election Disinformation Act, which aims to penalize the creation and spread of fake news during elections.
“These organized groups and individuals deliberately create and spread lies about political candidates to damage reputations and mislead voters. Freedom of speech is a right guaranteed by the Constitution, but it shall be exercised properly,” read the copy of the bill’s explanatory note, as shared by PTV on X.
HB 11178 defines a troll farm as an organized group of at least two individuals who create or amplify hate speech or propaganda to influence elections.
In the 2022 elections, fact-checking coalition Tsek.PH said Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr. benefited the most from fake news online.
That same year, Facebook was urged to dismantle over 100 troll accounts allegedly involved in disinformation linked to the presidential campaign of Marcos. Close to 120 alleged state-sponsored trolls targeting critics and left-leaning politicians were also flagged.
Marcos repeatedly denied that he had troll farms.
HB 11178 empowers the Commission on Elections to collaborate with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate troll activities.
Candidates who knowingly benefit from disinformation face disqualification, while online platforms may be held accountable for failing to remove disinformation materials.
Under the measure, violators could face six to 12 years in prison and fines ranging from P500,000 to P10 million.
“By making troll farms and election-related disinformation punishable by law, we are taking a stand for truth, fairness, and democracy,” added the bill.
(PM)
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