Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Monday warned of the growing risks of unregulated social media use amid the proliferation of false information online.
In his opening remarks to lawmakers, Dy called on Filipinos to push back against disinformation, saying its unchecked spread threatens to erode democracy.
‘Let us not allow the noise of social media to shape our beliefs,’ he said in Filipino. ‘Let us uphold truth over fake news, understanding over anger, and unity over division.’
Dy also said the lower chamber had passed a bill penalizing those who circulate false information online to curb disinformation.
The House is also pushing for a bill prohibiting those under 13 from accessing digital platforms to bolster such efforts, he added.
‘We are requesting that this proposal also be included in the Ledac (Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council) priority bills so it can be enacted at the soonest possible time,’ Dy said.