Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7746

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez
Maceda, Eric M. Martinez, Federico Il "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale ‘Along" R.
Malapitan, and Eric L. Olivarez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this representation
respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving support from the past and
present congress.

The rise of the use of social media as a means to disseminate news opened a lot of
opportunities in terms of making the news more accessible to the masses. Instead of relying
on the more traditional media (e.g. newspapers, television broadcasts, and radio broadcasts,
to name a few), one can easily access the news by using the intemet (e.g. social media sites,
video-sharing platforms, and blogs, to name a few). Despite the countless benefits of using
social media as a primary source of news, one cannot disregard the fact that abuses can be
done by unscrupulous individuals or groups for the purpose of destroying the integrity and
character of their victim. Due to the various means of ensuring anonymity, internet users can
easily assume a different name or identity so that they can afford impunity without penal
sanctions.

According to 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 for
the good and welfare of the State and its people.

The proposed legislation aims to provide accountability and sanction for deliberately
disseminating imesponsible and malicious information. It also aims 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

In view of the foreg

LO
EDWARD PEI .CEDA FEDERICO II "RICKY" SANDOVAL.

On. C

(C MARTINEZ ERIC OLIVARFZ,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 2746"

Introduced by Representatives John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Edward Vera Perez
Maceda, Eric M. Martinez, Federico Il "Ricky" S. Sandoval, Dale "Along" R.
Malapitan, and Eric L. Olivarez

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, HARASSMENTS 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.”

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

(©) fake news

(d) black propaganda

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

(g) 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 15 days 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 newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,