NINETEENTH CONGRESS   
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The right to freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press, guaranteed under 
Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, is a pillar of democratic governance. However, 
as the Supreme Court held in Chavez v. Gonzales (2008), this right is not absolute. Certain 
categories of speech—such as obscenity, defamation, incitement to violence, false 
advertising, and speech that poses a clear and present danger to public order or national 
security—are not entitled to constitutional protection. 
In recent years, the spread of fake news, particularly through digital platforms and 
artificial intelligence, has emerged as a serious threat to public trust, democratic institutions, 
and national stability. Existing laws, including Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code and 
Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, do not adequately address the 
evolving nature and impact of malicious disinformation campaigns. These falsehoods, often 
disseminated at scale through social media or synthetic content like deepfakes, have the 
power to incite confusion, manipulate public perception, and provoke civil disorder. 
This bill seeks to respond to these challenges by criminalizing the deliberate and 
malicious creation or dissemination of false or misleading information that is presented as fact 
and causes or is likely to cause public harm. In doing so, the measure aims to protect public 
order and national security from destabilizing content designed to mislead, manipulate, or 
incite. It is carefully crafted to withstand constitutional scrutiny by defining fake news narrowly 
and precisely, requiring proof of both malicious intent and actual or probable public harm. The 
bill explicitly excludes satire, parody, personal opinions, honest mistakes, and good-faith 
reporting from its scope to avoid infringing upon legitimate speech. Judicial safeguards, 
including access to legal remedies and appellate review, are built into the enforcement 
process, and periodic oversight ensures accountability and prevents abuse. 
By striking a balance between protecting freedom of expression and addressing the 
dangerous consequences of intentional disinformation, this measure affirms the values of both 
liberty and responsibility in a modern, democratic society. In view of the foregoing, the 
immediate passage of this bill is respectfully urged. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
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May 26, 2025
5:24 pm


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING THE MALICIOUS AND DELIBERATE DISSEMINATION OF FALSE 
INFORMATION THAT UNDERMINES PUBLIC ORDER OR NATIONAL SECURITY, 
STRENGTHENING REGULATIONS ON FAKE NEWS THROUGH DIGITAL PLATFORMS, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Fake News and Disinformation 
Act”. 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. The State upholds the freedom of speech, of expression, 
and of the press under Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. However, it also 
recognizes the increasing threat posed by the intentional dissemination of false information, 
especially through digital and social media platforms, which may endanger public safety, erode 
democratic institutions, and threaten national security. This Act seeks to deter and penalize 
such conduct, consistent with constitutional protections and human rights standards. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms. 
a. Fake News – Refers to false or misleading information presented as fact or news,
deliberately and maliciously disseminated to mislead the public, that may sow
confusion, incite hatred or violence, or disrupt public order.
b. Disinformation – False information intentionally spread to deceive, manipulate, or
influence public perception, behavior, or policy.
c.
Social Media Platforms – Websites, mobile applications, or other digital systems
enabling users to create, share, or disseminate content, including but not limited to
Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and other similar
networks.
d. Cyber-Enabled Dissemination – The use of internet-enabled technologies and
platforms to commit acts penalized under this Act, including through bots, trolls, or
coordinated inauthentic behavior.
e. Malicious Intent – The deliberate or reckless disregard for truth, with the purpose of
causing harm, panic, hatred, violence, or undermining trust in institutions.
Section 4. Prohibited Acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to: 
a. Knowingly and maliciously publish or disseminate, through any medium including print,
broadcast, or digital and social media, any fake news or disinformation as defined in
Section 3;
b. Create, operate, or finance troll farms, bot networks, or coordinated campaigns
specifically aimed at spreading fake news;
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c. Disseminate fake news or disinformation that incites violence, promotes hate speech, 
discredits democratic institutions, or may cause public panic or disorder; 
 
d. Facilitate or allow the use of social media platforms or accounts to repeatedly and 
systematically engage in the conduct described above. 
 
Section 5. Cybercrime Linkage. When the offense under this Act is committed through 
computer systems or digital networks, the provisions of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 
(RA 10175) shall apply suppletorily, particularly on:  
a. Jurisdiction and venue; 
b. Preservation and disclosure of computer data; 
c. Real-time collection of traffic data; 
d. Cooperation with service providers; and  
e. Law enforcement authority.  
 
Section 6. Penalties. Any person found guilty of violating Section 4 shall suffer: Imprisonment 
of six (6) years to twelve (12) years and a fine of not less than ₱500,000 but not more than 
₱2,000,000, or both, at the discretion of the court. In accordance with prevailing rules, 
jurisdiction shall lie with the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs). 
 
Section 7. Relation to Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code. 
a. Offenses punishable under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code that are committed 
through information and communications technologies or digital platforms shall be 
prosecuted under this Act, subject to higher penalties and the procedural provisions of 
RA 10175. 
 
b. Where applicable, the offender may be prosecuted under both this Act and Article 154, 
provided that the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy is not violated. 
 
Section 8.  Aggravating Circumstances. The maximum penalty shall be imposed if any of 
the following aggravating circumstances are present: 
a. The offense endangers or undermines national security, public safety, or diplomatic 
relations; 
b. The fake news relates to or interferes with elections, public health emergencies, 
disaster response, or peace negotiations; 
c. The offender is a public officer, elected official, journalist, or social media influencer 
with 50,000 or more followers or subscribers, who knowingly leverages their platform 
to spread disinformation; 
d. The act is committed using automated or coordinated digital systems, including the 
use of troll farms, bots, or sock puppet networks; 
e. The fake news is disseminated with the direct or indirect aid of a foreign government, 
foreign entity, or foreign individual, including financial, logistical, technical, or cyber 
infrastructure support, with the intent or effect of influencing public opinion, 
destabilizing institutions, or undermining democratic processes. 
 
Section 9. Exceptions. This Act shall not apply to: 
a. Clearly labeled satire, parody, or editorial content; 
b. Personal opinions or interpretations that do not claim to state factual assertions; 
c. Honest mistakes made without malicious intent; 
d. News reporting or academic discourse made in good faith and with reasonable 
verification of sources. 
 
 
 
 


Section 10. Judicial Recourse and Appeals. 
a. All prosecutions under this Act shall be filed in the Regional Trial Court of the province 
or city where the offense was committed, or where the content was first accessed or 
downloaded. 
b. The accused shall be entitled to legal counsel, to confront witnesses, and to a fair and 
public trial under the Rules of Court. 
c. Convicted persons may appeal to the Court of Appeals and, where warranted, to the 
Supreme Court, in accordance with the Rules of Criminal Procedure. 
d. Injunctive relief or constitutional remedies (e.g., habeas corpus, amparo, certiorari) 
may be sought by the accused if the enforcement of this Act results in violation of 
fundamental rights. 
e. The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) may provide legal and monitoring 
assistance in cases alleging abuse of this Act for political or retaliatory purposes. 
 
Section 11. Designation of Liaison Officers by Social Media Platforms. 
a. All social media platforms operating within the Philippines or providing services to 
users in the Philippines shall designate a duly authorized liaison officer to the 
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). 
 
b. The liaison officer shall serve as the platform’s official point of contact for matters 
involving: 
1. Compliance with this Act and other cyber-related laws; 
2. Coordination on takedown or moderation requests involving malicious 
disinformation that threatens national security or public order; 
3. Emergency responses during critical events such as elections, disasters, or 
public health crises; 
4. Reporting obligations and transparency measures as may be required by the 
DICT or Congress. 
 
c. Social media platforms shall submit to the DICT: 
1. The full name and contact information of the designated liaison; 
2. Updates to the designation within fifteen (15) days of any change; 
3. An annual report on the platform’s enforcement actions related to 
disinformation targeting Filipino users. 
 
d. The DICT, in consultation with stakeholders, shall issue guidelines for the registration, 
responsibilities, and performance evaluation of designated liaisons within sixty (60) 
days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
Section 12. Oversight and Review Mechanism. A Joint Congressional Oversight Committee 
composed of members from the Senate, House of Representatives, the judiciary, and 
representatives from civil society and media organizations shall: 
a. Monitor implementation of this Act; 
b. Review enforcement procedures for potential abuse or overreach; and 
c. Submit a triennial report with recommendations for amendment or repeal, if warranted. 
 
Section 13. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the 
remaining provisions shall remain valid and in effect. 
 
Section 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
Section 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,