TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No._291

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LANI MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA Ill

AN ACT CRIMINALIZING THE CREATION AND DISSEMINATION OF FAKE
NEWS FOR PROTECTION FROM ONLINE FALSEHOODS AND
MANIPULATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NO 10175,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2012

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Art. Il, Sec. 24 of the 1987 Constitution states that “The State recognizes the vital
role of communication and information in nation-building.”

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the ill effects of disinformation and
misinformation which have sown confusion and panic among our citizenry.

The State must combat misinformation and disinformation because it recognized the
vital role of communication and information in nation-building. And the State is the
primary regulator of information exchange that would tend to affect peace and order
and general well-being of the people. Laws are passed for the common good.

Thus, this bill aims to criminalize the creation and dissemination of fake news for the
protection of online consumers from falsehoods and manipulation. This bill aims to
stop deliberate and harmful misinformation and disinformation by holding the
creators and disseminators accountable under the law.

Given these considerations, we urge the swift passage of this bill.

REP. LAM|MERCADO-REVILLA
fepresentative

24 District of Cavite


REP. nano io REVILLA Il
Representative

1 District of Cavite

Representative
AGIMAT Partylist


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE BILL No. 251

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES LAN MERCADO-REVILLA,
BRYAN B. REVILLA AND RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA II

AN ACT CRIMINALIZING THE CREATION AND DISSEMINATION OF FAKE NEWS:
FOR THE PROTECTION OF ONLINE CONSUMERS FROM FALSEHOODS AND
MANIPULATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE, REPUBLIC ACT NO 10175,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2012

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No 10175 otherwise known as the "Cybercrime
Prevention Act of 2012" is hereby amended to include:

"100

“(M) FAKE NEWS REFERS TO MISINFORMATION

AND DISINFORMATION OF STORIES, FACTS, AND NEWS WHICH IS
PRESENTED AS A FACT, THE VERACITY OF WHICH CAN NOT BE CONFIRMED,
WITH THE PURPOSE OF DISTORTING THE TRUTH AND MISLEADING ITS
AUDIENCE.”

Sec. 2. All succeeding subsections under Section 3 of Republic Act No 10175 shall

be renumbered accordingly.

Sec. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No 10175 otherwise known as the Cybercrime
Prevention Act of 2012 is hereby amended to include:


1X

"(c) Content-related offenses:
XXX

"(6) FAKE NEWS - THE CREATION AND

DISSEMINATION OF FAKE NEWS AS DEFINED IN THE SECTION 3 HEREOF,
COMMITTED THROUGH A COMPUTER SYSTEM

OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR MEANS WHICH MAY BE DEVISED IN THE FUTURE.”

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, executive
orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules, or regulation contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

Sec. 5. Separability Clause. -If any provision or provision of this Act Is

declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not
affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the date of its

publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,