1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ____________ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 News has never been more accessible, thanks to the proliferation of digital 
platforms and social media. This increased accessibility allows people to stay informed 
about global events in real time. Information is being disseminated at lightning speed, 
making communication almost instantaneous. This immediacy enables real-time 
updates to be transmitted without delay, facilitates immediate public response and 
discourse, and allows knowledge to be shared or transferred efficiently. 
However, the rapid exchange of information also introduces certain risks, most 
notably misinformation and disinformation. The dissemination and acceptance of 
inaccurate or false information can significantly influence individuals' perceptions, 
undermine critical thinking, and hinder their ability to make informed, evidence-based 
decisions. 
The proliferation and impact of fake news warrant serious consideration. Various 
forms and contents of misinformation can foster misconceptions and beliefs founded 
on inaccuracies, resulting in societal division, miscommunication, and negative effects 
across multiple sectors of the nation. In the health sector, for example, the 
International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) reported that approximately 32% of fake 
news detected during the COVID-19 pandemic include views and posts on symptoms, 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment measures.1 Other forms of fake news prevalent 
in the Philippines are about the government’s actions and regulations (25%), false and 
misleading statistics (11%), and political, religious, and ethnic-targeted fake news 
(10%).2 These statistics emphasize the harm of fake news and the importance of 
immediately addressing this issue through legislation.  
In Germany, legislation was passed imposing fines of up to Fifty Million Euros 
(€50,000,000.00) on social media platforms that fail to promptly remove illegal content. 
Similarly, this proposed measure seeks to penalize individuals who knowingly and 
1  PIDS. Fake news, its dangers, and how we can fight it. Published in August 2021. Available at 
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidspn2106.pdf (Accessed on 30 May 2025). 
2  Ibid.  
August 28, 2025
1:47 pm
4160


2 
maliciously publish, distribute, or spread false information—whether in print, broadcast, 
or online—that causes or tends to cause panic, division, violence, or harm to one’s 
reputation. Offenders may face fines ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P100,000.00) to Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) and imprisonment of one (1) to 
five (5) years. Stiffer penalties shall apply if the offender is a public official. 
Mass media organizations and social media platforms have a responsibility to 
address the spread of misinformation and should take proactive measures to prevent 
the dissemination of false information that may negatively impact public perception. 
Hence, the bill proposes to penalize channels or platforms that fail, neglect, or refuse 
to remove false news or information within a reasonable period after having knowledge 
or reasonable grounds to believe of its falsity. Violators will be punished by a fine 
ranging from Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) to Twenty Million Pesos 
(P20,000,000.00) and imprisonment ranging from ten (10) to twenty (20) years. If the 
offender is a corporation, the President, Chief Executive Officer, and other responsible 
officers will suffer the penalty of imprisonment. 
The passage of this bill will encourage our citizens, especially public officers, to 
be more responsible and circumspect in creating, distributing, and/or sharing news. 
Addressing national and global concerns should not be made more complicated by 
false news calculated to cause discord, panic, chaos, and/or violence. This issue 
requires prompt legislative intervention to effectively regulate the dissemination of 
misinformation and enhance accountability for the information that individuals share. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 


3 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by CIBAC Party-List Representative 
EDUARDO “BRO. EDDIE” C. VILLANUEVA 
AN ACT  
PENALIZING THE MALICIOUS DISTRIBUTION OF FALSE NEWS AND OTHER 
RELATED VIOLATIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Fake News Act.” 
1 
2 
SEC. 2. Malicious Creation and Distribution of Fake News. – It shall be unlawful 
3 
for any person to maliciously offer, publish, distribute, circulate and spread false news or 
4 
information or cause the publication, distribution, circulation or spreading of the same in 
5 
print, broadcast or online media, provided that, such false news or information cause or 
6 
tend to cause panic, division, chaos, violence, hate or which exhibit or tend to exhibit a 
7 
propaganda to blacken or discredit one’s reputation and the person knowingly commits 
8 
such act with full knowledge that such news or information is false, or with reasonable 
9 
grounds to believe that the same is false. 
10 
11 
Any person who shall be found guilty of committing any of the foregoing acts shall 
12 
be punished by a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) to Five 
13 
Million Pesos (P5,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from one (1) to five (5) years. 
14 
15 
Any person who aids or abets any person committing any of the foregoing acts shall 
16 
be liable for a fine ranging from Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000) to Three Million Pesos 
17 
(P3,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to three (3) years. 
18 
19 
If the offender is a public official, they shall be liable for twice the amount of the fine 
20 
imposed above and be imprisoned for two times longer than the period provided herein. 
21 
In addition, they shall also suffer the accessory penalty of absolute perpetual 
22 
disqualification from holding any public office. 
23 
24 
SEC. 3. Failure to Remove False News. – It shall be unlawful for any mass media 
25 
enterprise or social media platform to fail, neglect or refuse to remove false news or 
26 
information within a reasonable period after having knowledge, or having reasonable 
27 
4160


4 
 
grounds to believe, of its falsity. Any person violating this provision shall be punished by 
1 
a fine ranging from Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000) to Twenty Million Pesos 
2 
(P20,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from ten (10) to twenty (20) years. If the 
3 
offender is a corporation, the President, Chief Executive Officer, and other responsible 
4 
officers shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment. 
5 
 
6 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
7 
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain 
8 
in force and effect. 
9 
 
10 
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
11 
order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is 
12 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
13 
 
14 
SEC. 6. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
15 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
16 
 
17 
Approved, 
18