A LAWMAKER has filed House Bill 5750, or the proposed ‘Emman Act,’ which aims to protect Filipinos from online hate, harassment, and doxxing-while upholding the public’s right to freely criticize and hold officials accountable.
Named after Emman Atienza, who passed away following severe online bullying, Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez said the measure seeks to strike a balance between freedom of expression and digital responsibility.
Benitez, however, clarified that the measure does not cover public officials, emphasizing that citizens’ right to criticize, question, or satirize those in government remains fully protected.
‘I believe in free speech, and I believe that social media is a powerful platform-one that has given everyone a bullhorn to share ideas, express opinions, and hold those in power accountable,’ Benitez said. ‘But in recent years, some have used this same freedom to harass, malign, and spread hate. What was meant to empower has been used to destroy.
Under the bill, penalties would be imposed on acts such as cyberlibel, online hate speech, cyberstalking, doxxing, and the non-consensual sharing of private information. Expressions inciting hatred or discrimination based on gender, sexuality, or other personal attributes would also be punishable.
Digital platforms would also be mandated to take immediate action against online abuse by promptly removing or disabling content classified as cyberbullying or harassment. They would be required to suspend or ban users proven to have committed prohibited acts, assign trained personnel to monitor and flag harmful content, provide transparent reports on content removal requests and corresponding actions, and establish clear mechanisms for users to report abuse and seek redress.
They would also be required to preserve the data for their possible use as evidence in court proceedings.
Under the proposed measure, violations of the prohibited acts would be penalized according to the severity of the offense. Light violations or acts of online hate and harassment-such as insults, mockery, or other offensive remarks that do not amount to threats, incitement, or doxxing-would be punishable by arresto menor or a fine ranging from P20,000 to P50,000, or both.
For more serious offenses, such as targeted online harassment that causes emotional distress, doxxing, cyberstalking, or coordinated online mob attacks, the penalty would be arresto mayor and a fine between P50,000 and P200,000. The heaviest penalties-prisión mayor and a fine from P500,000 to P1,000,000-would apply to cases involving online harassment amounting to incitement or when the offender is a public officer or employee who abuses their position.
Minors found guilty of violations would undergo counseling and digital responsibility education, with support from the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) and the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with parents, guardians, or schools.
Benitez said the bill’s ultimate goal is to create ‘safer online spaces without making them silent,’ reminding everyone that ‘we can disagree without being disagreeable.’