Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 299

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Fake news, malicious content, and deep fakes, when spread rapidly on social media, can
significantly distort public understanding of critical issues, influence opinions based on
falsehoods, and even incite real-world harm,

Legislation that punishes individuals who disseminate false and malicious content on
social media is crucial to fostering a healthier, more truthful, and safer online environment is a
must. This bill, if enacted, can act as a deterrent against the deliberate creation and
dissemination of such harmful narratives.

Constant exposure to false and malicious content can erode public trust in established
institutions, legitimate news sources, and even scientific findings, leading to fragmentation and
instability. Malicious content in the form of libel or slander can severely damage an
individual’s reputation, leading to social humiliation, job loss, and emotional distress

The enactment of this bill into law is a necessary step towards creating a more truthful,
safer, and more responsible online environment. It is essential for protecting individuals,
safeguarding democratic processes, and fostering trust in information obtained online.

‘The consideration for the early passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought.

SALVADO) LEYTO, SR.


Republie of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

299

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: REP. SALVADOR A. PLEYTO, SR.

AN ACT PENALIZING THE PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF FALSE
CONTENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS,

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

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Anti-False Content on
Social Media Act of 2025”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy — The State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in nation-building. It shall be declared the policy of the State
to protect the public from any misleading or false information that is being published and has
become prevalent on social media,

To support these objectives, the State shall take proactive measures to enhance the
responsible use of online social media platforms. It is dedicated to promoting the public interest
while ensuring that the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press are
upheld and protected.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined:
(a) Content - refers to the text, image, audio, video, and animation published on the
internet by the social media platform.

(b) Fictitious Online Account or Website — are those that have an anonymous author or
use an assumed name in pursuing activities for the purpose of avoiding impunity.

(c) Internet Intermediary — refers to a provider of service which displays an index of
search results that leads the internet users to a specific online location, enables them
to access contents originating from third parties, and allows them to upload and
download content. It includes but is not limited to social networking sites, search
engines, and video sharing sites.

(d) Publication — the act of uploading content on an online intermediary with an intent
to circulate particular information to the public.


(©) Public Interest — refer to anything that affects national security, public health, public
safety, public order, public confidence in the government, and international relations
of the Philippines.

(f) Social Media ~ refer to the collective of online communication channels, including
websites and applications, that enable users to create and share content, collaborate,
and interact with each other including video sharing sites which allow users to post
comments on individual entries.

(g) Social Media Account - refers to a user’s personalized access to a social networking
site or application, typically using a username and password combination, which
allows a user to interact with other users on the same social networking site.

SECTION 4. Registration of Social Media Accounts ~ All internet intermediaries are
hereby mandated to formulate and strictly implement a regulatory mechanism for the
membership registration of social media accounts that will include the submission of pertinent
documents as proof of identity of media account users.

Every media account user shall be required to present a valid government-issued
identification card or other similar form of documents that will verify the identity of the media
account user or a valid passport in the case of aliens.

In case the media account user is a minor, the parents’ or guardians’ documents and
parental consent shall be submitted.

Unregistered social media accounts shall be deactivated after fifteen (15) days of the
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Confidentiality Clause — Any information obtained in the social media
account registration process shall be treated as absolutely confidential, in accordance with the
provisions of the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and cannot be disclosed to unauthorized persons,
except upon the written consent of the media account user: Provided, That the waiver of
absolute confidentiality shall not be made as a condition for the approval of registration.

SECTION 6. Disclosure of Information ~ Notwithstanding the provisions on
confidentiality, internet intermediaries shall be required to provide information obtained in the
social media account registration process only upon the order of a competent court and upon
finding of probable cause that a social media account was being used in the commission of a
crime or that it was utilized as a means to commit a malicious, fraudulent or unlawful act:
Provided, That such written order shall only be granted upon application in writing of any law
enforcement agency and/or officer, and only upon examination under oath or affirmation of the
applicant and the witness he may produce and upon the court being satisfied that: (1) there is
reasonable ground to believe that the social media account has been used in the commission of
a crime or for a malicious, fraudulent or unlawful purpose; (2) that there is reasonable ground
to believe that the registered social media account user owner is probably the perpetrator of the
same; and (3) there is no other speedy and adequate means readily available to obtain such
facts and information.



SECTION 7. Punishable Acts — The following acts shall constitute the offense
punishable under this Act:

a)

b)

°)

Crating and/or publishing on one’s personal online account or website content
knowing or having a reasonable belief that it contains information that is false or
misleading.

Use of a fictitious online account or website in creating and/or publishing content
knowing or having a reasonable belief that it contains information that is false.

Offering or providing one’s service to create and/or publish content online knowing
or having a reasonable belief that it would be used to deceive the public, regardless
of whether it is done for profit or not;

Financing an activity that has for its purpose the creation and/or publication of
content online containing information that is false or misleading:

Non-compliance with any of the counteractive measures provided under Section 5
of this Act, whether deliberate or through negligence.

SECTION 8. Counteractive Measures ~ The Office of the Cybercrime of the
Department of Justice shall have the authority to issue the following orders to restrain the
commission of the offenses punished under this Act:

a)

b)

°)

Rectification Order — an order directing the administrator of the online account or
website that is either personal or fictitious, to issue a notice indicating the necessary
corrections to the published content.

Online intermediaries whose platform was used to publish the content can also be
issued such an Order. It would require the particular online intermediary to issue a
notice of correction informing all its users that the subject content contains
misleading or false information.

Takedown Order - an order directing the owner or administrator of the online
account or website that is either personal or fictitious, to take down the published
content.

Block Access Order ~ an order directing the online intermediary to disable access
by users to the published content. It is a remedy available in cases where there is a
failure to comply with the Orders mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
Section due to the fault or negligence of the administrator or online intermediary,
and in cases where rectification or taking down of the published content is proven
to be technically impossible.

‘These Orders shall only be issued when there is a finding that the complaint filed
with the DOJ Office of Cybercrime by an aggrieved party is valid and has sufficient
basis. In matters affecting the public interest, the same office shall issue motu
propio the appropriate Order. The remedies provided herein are cumulative, and
the issuance of one shall not preclude or waive the right to use any or all other
remedies.


SECTION 9. Appeal to Cancel the Order — The administrator of an online account or
website and the internet intermediary who has been issued with any of the Orders under Section
5 hereof may file a verified petition for review with the Office of the Secretary of the DOJ
within fifteen (15) days from receipt of the assailed Order.

SECTION 10. Liability under the Revised Penal Code and Cybercrime Law —
Prosecution under this Act shall be without prejudice to any liability or violation of any
provision of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

SECTION 11. Penalties — Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Section
7 (a) shall be punished with imprisonment of prison mayor or a fine of not more than Three
Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 300,000.00), or both;

Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Sec. 7 (b) shall be punished with
imprisonment of prison mayor or a fine of not more than Five Hundred Thousand Pesos
(Php 500,000.00), or both;

Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Sec. 7 (c) shall be punished with
imprisonment of prison mayor or a fine of not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
(Php 200,000.00), or both;

Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Sec. 7 (d) shall be punished with the
penalty of reclusion temporal or a fine of not exceeding One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00),
or both;

Any person found guilty of the punishable act under Sec. 7 (e) shall be punished with the
penalty of reclusion temporal or a fine of not exceeding Two Million Pesos (Php 2,000,000.00),
or both;

In cases where the published content undermines the public interest, the maximum period
for the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed.

SECTION 12. Other Offences — Any person who willfully attempts to commit or abets
or aids in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated in this Act shall be held liable

SECTION 13. Jurisdiction - The Regional Trial Courts shall have jurisdiction over
any violation of the provisions of this Act. Regardless of the place of commission, a Filipino
national who commits any of the offenses defined under this Act shall be within the jurisdiction
of the Philippine courts.

SECTION 14. Law Enforcement Authorities — The Cybercrime Division of the
Philippine National Police and of the National Bureau of Investigation shall be responsible for
the effective enforcement of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 15. Annual Report - All internet intermediaries are required to submit an
annual report on the implementation of the provisions of this Act to the DICT and to both
Houses of Congress.

SECTION 16. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT), Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST), DOJ Cybercrime Office, PNP Cybercrime Division and the NBI


Cybercrime Division shall, in consultation with relevant government agencies, private sector,
and civil society organizations, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 17. Separability Clause — If for any reason any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 18. Repealing Clause.- All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
ordinances, rules and regulations, and other issuances or part thereof which are inconsistent
with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 19. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,