House bill would punish troll farms, destroy equipment

House lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to penalize troll farms, as well as politicians found engaging in disseminating false information against political rivals or other hopefuls, with fines of up to P10 million.

If passed into law, House Bill 11178, or the proposed “Anti-Troll Farm and Election Disinformation Act,” will penalize organized groups systematically spreading disinformation — at the expense of an individual seeking public office — with fines ranging from P5 million to P10 million, alongside a maximum 12-year jail term.

All equipment, tools, and software used for such operations will also be confiscated and destroyed, while related accounts will be suspended.

Any political candidate found to have knowingly benefited from disinformation activities will face the same penalties and be disqualified from running for public office.

Proponents of the measure — PBA Rep. Margarita Nograles-Almario and Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Miguel Almario — said this would promote transparency in the democratic election process amidst mounting online content aimed at deceiving the public and tarnishing the reputation of targeted individuals.

“By making troll farms and election-related disinformation punishable by law, we are taking a stand for truth, fairness, and democracy,” the bill reads.

The bill mandates the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to collaborate with agencies such as the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to monitor troll farms.

It also requires the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology to lead educational campaigns promoting voter awareness and critical thinking online.

The lawmakers emphasized the polarizing impact of disinformation on society, warning that it fosters division and erodes public trust in institutions.

“This is about more than just elections; this is about the fabric of our society,” Rep. Almario said. “Without trust, democracy cannot function effectively, and this bill is a step toward healing the damage caused by disinformation.”

Recognizing the role of insiders, the measure also mandates the government to safeguard whistleblowers who help expose these clandestine operations, ensuring they are protected from retaliation.