Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 11178
Introduced by: Hon. Margarita “Atty. Migs” B. Nograles-Almario and 
Hon. Cheeno Miguel D. Almario 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Elections are the backbone of our democracy, allowing the people to choose 
their leaders freely and fairly. However, in recent years, the rise of troll farms and the 
spread of false information have become a serious threat to this process. These 
organized groups and individuals deliberately create and spread lies about political 
candidates to damage reputations and mislead voters. Freedom of Speech is a right 
guaranteed by the Constitution but it shall be exercised properly. According to Section 
19 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the Philippines is a 
state-party of, the exercise of this freedom must restricted if it causes disrespects or 
damages the reputation of others, or if there is a need to protect national security or 
public order. The utilization of troll farms to disrupt free elections is a matter of 
security and public safety. Such actions not only harm the targeted candidates but also 
undermine the trust of the public in the electoral process. This bill seeks to protect the 
integrity of our elections by criminalizing troll farms and penalizing those who spread 
false information to unfairly influence the outcome of elections. 
This proposed legislation is rooted in the belief that the truth should prevail in 
any election. By holding accountable those who deliberately spread lies—whether 
through troll farms, vloggers, or other channels—and by penalizing candidates who 
knowingly benefit from these actions, we can ensure a level playing field for all. This 
bill also aims to empower our law enforcement agencies and the Commission on 
Elections to actively monitor and investigate these harmful practices. Moreover, it 
recognizes the role of online platforms in preventing the spread of disinformation and 
holds them responsible for swift action. 
December 5, 2024
3:04 pm


At its core, this bill is about protecting the voters. Filipinos deserve to base their 
decisions on facts, not lies or propaganda. By making troll farms and election-related 
disinformation punishable by law, we are taking a stand for truth, fairness, and 
democracy. This legislation is a step toward restoring public trust in our electoral 
system and ensuring that future elections reflect the genuine will of the people. 
HON. MARGARITA “ATTY. MIGS” B. NOGRALES-ALMARIO 
Representative, PBA Partylist 
HON. CHEENO MIGUEL D. ALMARIO 
Representative, 2nd District of Davao Oriental 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 11178
Introduced by: Hon. Margarita “Atty. Migs” B. Nograles-Almario and Hon. 
Cheeno Miguel D. Almario 
AN ACT 
CRIMINALIZING 
THE 
OPERATION 
OF 
TROLL 
FARMS 
AND 
THE 
DELIBERATE CREATION AND DISSEMINATION OF FALSE INFORMATION 
AGAINST POLITICAL CANDIDATES TO UNDULY BENEFIT OPPONENTS, 
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Troll Farm and Election 
Disinformation Act.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the importance of free and fair 
elections as the foundation of democracy. It is the policy of the State to uphold the 
integrity of electoral processes by preventing and penalizing the deliberate creation 
and dissemination of false information and the operation of troll farms aimed at 
influencing public opinion against political candidates. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are defined 
as follows: 
1.
Troll Farm – Any organized group or entity composed of at least two (2)
individuals, whether physical or virtual, that systematically creates, amplifies,
or disseminates disinformation, hate speech, or propaganda for the purpose of
manipulating public opinion, undermining political competition, or
influencing elections.


2. 
Troll – A person or entity who produces and publishes video content 
online, especially through social media platforms in relation to the prohibited 
acts mentioned in Section 4 of this law. 
3. 
Disinformation – The deliberate creation, publication, or dissemination 
of false or misleading information intended to deceive the public. 
4. 
Electoral Disinformation – Disinformation specifically targeting a 
political candidate to create undue advantage for their opponent during an 
electoral process. 
5. 
Hate Speech – Any form of expression through which the speaker 
intends to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against an individual, or group 
which he/she belongs to, on the basis of his/her/their race, religion, skin color, 
sexual identity, ethnicity, disability, or political affiliation. 
6. 
Political Competition – An individual or a group which is publicly 
known to be competing, will compete, or competed, for an elective position. 
7. 
Undue Advantage – The unfair benefit or gain derived by a political 
candidate or party from acts of disinformation that undermine or discredit an 
opponent. 
 
SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited under this Act: 
1. 
Operation of Troll Farms: 
a. Establishing, maintaining, or operating a troll farm to disseminate 
disinformation against an individual. 
b. Funding, sponsoring, or collaborating with troll farms to produce or 
spread false information. 
2. 
Creation and Dissemination of Electoral Disinformation: 
a. Producing, publishing, or amplifying false or misleading information 
about a political candidate with the intent to damage their reputation or 
candidacy. 
b. Employing vloggers, influencers, or other individuals to disseminate false 
information for political advantage. 
3. 
Collusion for Disinformation: 
a. Colluding with or directing third parties, including media outlets, vloggers, 
or organizations, to create and spread disinformation against a candidate. 


 
SEC. 5. Penalties. - 
1. 
For Individuals: 
a. Any individual found guilty of operating a troll farm or creating and 
disseminating disinformation as defined in this Act shall be punished with: 
i. Imprisonment of six (6) to twelve (12) years; and 
ii. A fine of not less than ₱500,000 but not more than ₱2,000,000. 
b. If the offender is a vlogger, influencer, or media personality, the penalty shall 
be increased by one degree. 
2. 
For Political Candidates: 
a. Any political candidate found to have knowingly benefited from the 
prohibited acts shall be disqualified from running for office, in addition to the 
penalties prescribed in this Act. 
3. 
For Organizations or Troll Farms: 
a. Any organization found guilty of operating troll farms or systematically 
disseminating disinformation shall be penalized with: 
i. A fine of not less than ₱5,000,000 but not more than ₱10,000,000; 
ii. Permanent revocation of business permits and licenses, if applicable. 
4. 
Accessory Penalties: 
a. Confiscation and destruction of all equipment, tools, and software used in 
the operation of troll farms. 
b. Suspension of access to online platforms used to spread disinformation. 
 
SEC. 6. Election-Related Aggravating Circumstance. - The commission of any 
prohibited act during the election period shall be considered an aggravating 
circumstance and shall merit the maximum penalty provided under this Act. 
 
SEC. 7. Role of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). - The COMELEC, in 
coordination with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), 
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police-Anti- 


Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), shall establish a dedicated task force to investigate, 
monitor, and prosecute violations of this Act. 
 
SEC. 8. Role of Online Platforms. - 
 
1. 
Online platforms hosting content from vloggers and other individuals 
shall have a duty to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in identifying 
and removing disinformation related to elections. 
2. 
Failure of online platforms to act within 24 hours of a verified complaint 
regarding disinformation shall result in fines ranging from ₱1,000,000 to 
₱5,000,000 per violation. 
 
SEC. 9. Whistleblower Protection. - Whistleblowers who report troll farm activities or 
disinformation campaigns shall be protected under the “Whistleblower Protection Act 
of 2021” or any related legislation. 
 
SEC. 10. Education and Awareness Campaigns. - The Department of Education 
(DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Department of Information 
and Communications Technology (DICT) shall implement programs to educate the 
public on recognizing and combating disinformation. 
 
SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), in coordination with the 
COMELEC and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary IRR. 
 
SEC. 12. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other 
provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 13. All laws, decrees, executive orders, and other issuances inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 


SEC. 14. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,