Senatorial candidate Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan lauded the House of Representatives for its ongoing hearings on the relentless spread of fake news and online harassment, stressing the importance of accountability for social media platforms that allow disinformation to flourish.
“I fully support the House’s efforts to tackle the growing problem of fake news,” said Pangilinan in a news release.
“For years, I have faced malicious videos that distort the truth and damage my reputation. Until now, an orchestrated set of social-media posts and comments attack me and my family, and the persistence of these lies online is incredibly frustrating,” he added.
In June 2022, the Senate approved Pangilinan’s report calling for stronger measures against disinformation.
In his report as chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, he recommended that social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok be held accountable for the spread of fake news, urging changes to existing laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The same Senate report also recommended that platforms be presumed malicious if they fail to remove libelous content, especially when fake accounts are involved. It also proposed reforms that would require users to verify their identities before accessing certain services, as well as transparency for influencers regarding financial or material support they receive.
“These House hearings are a step in the right direction,” Pangilinan said. “The House committee’s recommendations would go a long way in curbing the spread of false information, not just during elections, but also in everyday public discourse.”
As a victim of online harassment, Pangilinan also filed cyberlibel complaints against YouTube channels like “Maharlika,” “Latest Chika,” and “Starlet,” which were involved in spreading defamatory content. He called on platforms and advertisers to take greater responsibility for the content that circulates on their sites.
Pangilinan said proposed reforms could help prevent the further weaponization of social media to spread malicious narratives and misinformation, ultimately protecting the integrity of the democratic process.
“We must ensure that our online spaces are safe, truthful, and transparent, and that those who use them to harm others face the consequences,” he said.
