Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7412

HOUSE BILL NO. —
Introduced by: “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Social network has changed the face of journalism. News and information pertaining to
politics, show business, entertainment and industries can spread like a wildfire. These medium is
beneficial since information dissemination can be easily achieved. However, we cannot discount
the fact that abuses can be done by unscrupulous individual or group for the purpose of
destroying the integrity and character of their victim. They usually execute their propaganda
under a different name or identity so that they can afford impunity without penal sanctions.

According jurisprudence, the State has the power vested in the legislature by the
Constitution to make, ordain, and establish all manner of wholesome and reasonable laws of the
good and welfare of the State and its people. This bill seeks to provide accountability and
sanctions for deliberately disseminating irresponsible and malicious information and to regulate
the use of social networking as a tool for journalism in order to promote responsible media and
preserve the integrity of the right to freedom of expression and of the press.

Hence, this proposal is submitted for consideration.

“KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO
epresentative
Fight District of Bulacan


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

nouse BiLLNo. 7412
Introduced by: “KUYA” JOSE ANTONIO R. SY-ALVARADO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE SOCIAL NETWORKS IN THE REGISTRATION AND
REGULATION OF ALL THE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR RESPONSIBLE
SOCIAL JOURNALISM TO STOP THE PROLIFERATION OF FAKE NEWS, FALSE
INFORMATION, HARRASSMENTS AND OTHER FORM OF CYBERCRIME AND
PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL SOCIAL MEDIA FOR THE
BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY.

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 “Social Network Regulation
Act of 2018.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect the interest of the
public for a peaceful loving nation. The State recognizes the importance of freedom of
information and freedom of expression as a tool to our democracy but also protecting them from
the exploitation of information, abuse and misuse of the social media sites. In this light, the State
shall provide a regulation of Social Networks membership and promote responsible social
journalism and practice the freedom of expression ethically and responsibly.

SEC. 3. — Social Network liability as the provider/ platform of cyberspace
communication; Social Network as a provider of the platform shall formulate and implement a
regulation for the membership registration of the social media accounts. Social Network that is
used here in the country shall also be held liable on the proliferation of Troll Accounts that are
committing cybercrimes such as:

(a) identity theft

(b) cyber bullying:

(b) fake news;

(c) black propaganda

(d) posting photos and videos that has sexual, crime and other alarming contents
(e) existence of Fake or Troll Accounts used on cyberspace attack

(8) other form of violation under Anti-Cybercrime Law

SEC. 4. — Social media accounts registration; Social media accounts must have proper
registration and regulation. A Social Network shall provide a system for the registration of a
social media account user to submit pertinent documents as proof of identity to hold such social
media account. In case of minor age social media user, they shall submit the parents or guardians


pertinent documents as a parental consent. Social media account that will not comply shall be
deactivated 1Sdays after the implementation of the regulation.

SEC. 5. —Monitoring and Evaluation. — The Department of Information and
Communications Technology, Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation
Cybercrime Division shall monitor and implement Social Network Regulation Act. DICT, DOJ
and NBI shall monitor the registration of Social Network providers to secure the legitimacy of all
the existing social media accounts thru submission of verified pertinent documents and to
remove all the troll accounts in the internet. The DOJ and NBI cybercrime division shall
investigate on cybercrime complaints and file appropriate charges against the Social Network or
the netizens based on the crime being committed.

SEC. 6. — Report to Congress — The DICT, DOJ and NBI shall submit a detailed status
of the social media accounts regulation without prejudice to its mandate.

SEC. 7. — Implementing Rules and Regulations ~The DICT, DOJ, and NBI shall
formulate the Rules and Regulations within Ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 8. - Seperability Clause - In any part or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall be in full
force and effect.

SEC. 9. - Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspSper of general circulation.

Approved,