TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25 JlJL-8 P5-04
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PENALIZING THE MALICIOUS DISTRIBUTION OF FALSE NEWS 
AND OTHER RELATED VIOLATIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
News has never been more accessible, thanks to the proliferation of digital 
platforms and social media. This increased accessibility allows people to stay informed 
about global events in real time. Information is being disseminated at lightning speed, 
making communication almost instantaneous. This immediacy enables real-time 
updates to be transmitted without delay, facilitates immediate public response and 
discourse, and allows knowledge to be shared or transferred efficiently.
However, the rapid exchange of information also introduces certain risks, most 
notably misinformation and disinformation. The dissemination and acceptance of 
inaccurate or false information can significantly influence individuals' perceptions, 
undermine critical thinking, and hinder their ability to make informed, evidence-based 
decisions.
The proliferation and impact of fake news warrant serious consideration. Various 
forms and contents of misinformation can foster misconceptions and beliefs founded 
on inaccuracies, resulting in societal division, miscommunication, and negative effects 
across multiple sectors of the nation. In the health sector, for example, the 
International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) reported that approximately 32% of fake 
news detected during the COVID-19 pandemic include views and posts on symptoms, 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment measures.1 Other forms of fake news prevalent 
in the Philippines are about the government's actions and regulations (25%), false 
and misleading statistics (11%), and political, religious, and ethnic-targeted fake news
PIDS. Fake news, its dangers, and how we can fight it Published in August 2021. Available at 
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidspn2106.pdf (Accessed on 30 May 2025).


(10%).2 These statistics emphasize the harm of fake news and the importance of 
immediately addressing this issue through legislation.
In Germany, legislation was passed imposing fines of up to Fifty Million Euros 
(€50,000,000.00) on social media platforms that fail to promptly remove illegal 
content. Similarly, this proposed measure seeks to penalize individuals who knowingly 
and maliciously publish, distribute, or spread false information—whether in print, 
broadcast, or online—that causes or tends to cause panic, division, violence, or harm 
to one's reputation. Offenders may face fines ranging from One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,000.00) to Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) and imprisonment of one 
(1) to five (5) years. Stiffer penalties shall apply if the offender is a public official.
Mass media organizations and social media platforms have a responsibility to 
address the spread of misinformation and should take proactive measures to prevent 
the dissemination of false information that may negatively impact public perception. 
Hence, the bill proposes to penalize channels or platforms that fail, neglect, or refuse 
to remove false news or information within a reasonable period after having 
knowledge or reasonable grounds to believe of its falsity. Violators will be punished 
by a fine ranging from Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) to Twenty Million Pesos 
(P20,000,000.00) and imprisonment ranging from ten (10) to twenty (20) years. If 
the offender is a corporation, the President, Chief Executive Officer, and other 
responsible officers will suffer the penalty of imprisonment.
The passage of this bill will encourage our citizens, especially public officers, to 
be more responsible and circumspect in creating, distributing, and/or sharing news. 
Addressing national and global concerns should not be made more complicated by 
false news calculated to cause discord, panic, chaos, and/or violence. This issue 
requires prompt legislative intervention to effectively regulate the dissemination of 
misinformation and enhance accountability for the information that individuals share.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ILLANUEVA
Ibid.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JlJL-8 P5 -04
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PENALIZING THE MALICIOUS DISTRIBUTION OF FALSE NEWS 
AND OTHER RELATED VIOLATIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Fake News
Act.
SEC. 2. Malicious Creation and Distribution of Fake News. - It shall 
be unlawful for any person to maliciously offer, publish, distribute, circulate and 
spread false news or information or cause the publication, distribution, circulation 
or spreading of the same in print, broadcast or online media, provided that, such 
false news or information cause or tend to cause panic, division, chaos, violence, 
hate or which exhibit or tend to exhibit a propaganda to blacken or discredit one's 
reputation and the person knowingly commits such act with full knowledge that 
such news or information is false, or with reasonable grounds to believe that the 
same is false.
Any person who shall be found guilty of committing any of the foregoing acts 
shall be punished by a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000) 
to Five Million Pesos (P5,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from one (1) to five 
(5) years.


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Any person who aids or abets any person committing any of the foregoing
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acts shall be liable for a fine ranging from Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000) to Three
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Million Pesos (P3,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to three
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(3) years.
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If the offender is a public official, they shall be liable for twice the amount of
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the fine imposed above and be imprisoned for two times longer than the period
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provided herein. In addition, they shall also suffer the accessory penalty of
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absolute perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.
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SEC. 3. Failure to Remove False News. - It shall be unlawful for any
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mass media enterprise or social media platform to fail, neglect or refuse to remove
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false news or information within a reasonable period after having knowledge, or
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having reasonable grounds to believe, of its falsity. Any person violating this
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provision shall be punished by a fine ranging from Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000)
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to Twenty Million Pesos (P20,000,000) and imprisonment ranging from ten (10) to
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twenty (20) years. If the offender is a corporation, the President, Chief Executive
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Officer, and other responsible officers shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment.
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SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
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declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected
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thereby shall remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
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circulation.
Approved,