Latest news with #CybercrimePreventionAct
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Solon wants to criminalize fake news, troll farms, bot networks
Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has filed a bill seeking to criminalize the spread of fake news, and the operation of troll farms and bot networks that aim to circulate false information. Under House Bill 11506, Rufus seeks to have propagators of fake news and disinformation penalized with a fine of P500,000 to P2 million, and imprisonment of six years to 12 years, as he described these as a 'serious threat' to public trust, democratic institutions, and national stability. The bill specifically prohibits knowingly and maliciously publishing or disseminating any fake news or disinformation through any medium; and creating, operating, or financing troll farms, bot networks, or coordinated campaigns specifically aimed at spreading fake news. It also prohibits the dissemination of fake news or disinformation that incites violence, promotes hate speech, discredits democratic institutions, or may cause public panic or disorder; and facilitating or allowing the use of social media platforms or accounts to repeatedly and systemically engage in such acts. '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,' the lawmaker said. '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,' he added. While the country has existing laws including the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act, Rodriguez said these do not adequately address the evolving nature and impact of malicious disinformation campaigns. The solon also cited a Supreme Court ruling that the right to freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press is not absolute, 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. The bill defines fake news as '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.' It also defines disinformation as 'false information intentionally spread to deceive, manipulate, or influence public perception, behavior, or policy.' Meanwhile, malicious intent is described as the 'deliberate or reckless disregard for truth, with the purpose of causing harm, panic, hatred, violence, or undermining trust in institutions.' —RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- GMA Network
Online seller of fake driver's licenses, PWD IDs nabbed in Valenzuela City — ACG
The Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) of the Philippine National Police arrested an individual in Valenzuela City for selling fake driver's licenses and person with disability (PWD) IDs. At a press conference on Thursday, ACG chief Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said an entrapment operation was launched against the suspect last week. 'Last week po, tayo ay nagsagawa ng entrapment operation laban sa isang babae doon sa Valenzuela City kung saan ito ay nagbebenta online ng driver's license, at hindi lang driver's license, kundi yung ID ng PWD,' Yang said. (Last week, we conducted an entrapment operation against a woman in Valenzuela City who was selling not only driver's licenses but also PWD IDs.) 'Ito ay dahil sa patuloy ang aming pagsasagawa ng cyber-patrolling at nakikita po natin kung ano-ano ang binibenta roon, mga panloloko ng ating kababayan sa ating kapwa kababayan din,' he added. (This is because we continue to conduct cyber-patrolling and we see what is being sold there, frauds committed by our countrymen to our fellow countrymen.) Yang said the suspect is facing a complaint for 10 counts of falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents under Revised Penal Code in relation to Cybercrime Prevention Act. The bail is set at P36,000 for each count, according to Yang. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the 'fixer' system in obtaining driver's licenses has reached the online space. 'Isa sa mga, sasabihin ko na, kabulukan ng sistema, itong nag-evolve na sistema ng mga fixer,' Dizon said. (One of the, I would say, corruptions of the system, this evolved system of fixers.) 'Yung fixer dati nasa tabi ng LTO, nag-offer ng services ika nga, hihingi ng pampadulas para makalusot sa requirements ng lisensya, rehistro, etc. Pero dahil sa internet, Facebook, naging online na yan,' he added. (Fixers used to be beside the LTO, offering services, asking for bribes to get around the requirements of the license, registration, etc. But because of the internet, Facebook, that has become online.) Dizon vowed that authorities will go after these fixers as the government aims to improve road safety. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
