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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Garin seeks fake news probe as pushback on misinformation gains traction in House

Garin seeks fake news probe as pushback on misinformation gains traction in House

Published May 17, 2026 03:30 pm

At A Glance

  • House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin seeks a congressional inquiry into fake news, online harassment, cyber threats, and digital abuse, stressing that reputations and public trust are being eroded.
  • Garin emphasizes that freedom of speech carries responsibility, warning that disinformation networks pose risks to democratic institutions and insisting the fight is against lies, intimidation, and defamation.
  • Reps. Migz and Luigi Villafuerte back the PCO, DOJ, and DICT's coordinated drive against fake news, urging faster rollout of an online reporting platform and pushing for the proposed "Fake News and Digital Disinformation Act".
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


House Deputy Speaker Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin has filed a resolution seeking a congressional inquiry into the growing incidence of fake news, online harassment, cyber threats, disinformation, and other forms of digital abuse proliferating across social media and online platforms.
Her resolution, filed in the 20th Congress, calls on the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Public Information to conduct a joint investigation in aid of legislation to determine whether existing laws remain adequate in addressing emerging forms of cyber-enabled attacks and misconduct.
Garin underscored the urgency of the probe, saying: “With the increasing number of individuals spreading fake news, online attacks, threats, and scams, it is no longer only reputations that are being damaged."
"Public trust in truth and in our institutions is also slowly being eroded,” she said, echoing similar concerns from solons during the previous 19th Congress as far as the proliferation of fake news was concerned.
Garin said social media and other digital platforms should not be weaponized to spread falsehoods, intimidate individuals, or destroy reputations under the guise of free expression.
She added: “Freedom of speech is fundamental in a democratic society, but it also carries responsibility. The purpose of this resolution is to protect the public from abuse without suppressing legitimate opinion and responsible journalism.”
The Iloilo lawmaker warned that the sophistication of online disinformation networks poses serious risks to democratic institutions.
“The fight against fake news is not a fight against opinion. Our fight is against lies, intimidation, defamation, and the use of technology to deceive or destroy others.”
In parallel, Camarines Sur Reps Migz Villafuerte (5th district) and Luigi Villafuerte (2nd district) welcomed sustained action by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), in partnership with the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Information and Communications Technology (DICT), to combat fake news and artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes.
They cited the agencies’ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to strengthen inter-agency coordination, as well as the PCO’s planned launch of an online platform where citizens can flag misinformation.
Rep. Migz, chairman of the House ICT committee, urged the PCO to expedite its website initiative, while Rep. Luigi, a House deputy majority leader, called on the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group to coordinate with the PCO, DOJ, and DICT in pursuing punitive action against groups deliberately peddling false information.
The Villafuertes also highlighted the House’s role in crafting legislation against disinformation, noting that the ICT and public information committees have formed a technical working group to consolidate measures into a proposed “Fake News and Digital Disinformation Act".
Together, Garin’s resolution and the Villafuertes’ support for executive initiatives underscore a whole-of-government effort to address the spread of falsehoods online, balance civil liberties with accountability, and protect public trust in democratic institutions. (Ellson Quismorio)

Related Tags

Janette Garin Luigi Villafuerte Migz Villafuerte fake news House of Representatives misinformation
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