A BILL has been filed in the House of Representatives that aims to criminalize the operation of “troll farms” and the creation of false information on election candidates.
House Bill (HB) 11178 was filed last Dec. 5 by PBA Rep. Migs Nograles-Almario and Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario.
The bill’s explanatory note states that HB 11178 “is about protecting the voters. Filipinos deserve to base their decisions on facts, not lies or propaganda.”
The bill prohibits running a troll farm “to disseminate disinformation against an individual.”
It also prohibits funding or collaborating with a troll farm to make “or spread false information.”
A troll farm is an internet-based group that creates and spreads fake news.
The bill also prohibits the creation and publication of “false or misleading information about a political candidate with the intent to damage their reputation or candidacy.”
It also prohibits employing people to spread “false information for political advantage.”
Colluding with third parties to make and spread disinformation on a candidate is also prohibited.
Running a troll farm or making and spreading disinformation is punishable by six to 12 years in jail and a fine of not less than P500,000 but not more than P2 million.
If the offender is a vlogger, influencer, or media personality, “the penalty shall be increased by one degree,” the bill read.
If a candidate is “found to have knowingly benefited from the prohibited acts shall be disqualified from running for office, in addition to the penalties prescribed in this Act,” it stated.
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