Amid the rapid digital evolution, where news and information are easily fabricated and manipulated, administration-backed senatorial candidates have vowed to push for laws criminalizing false content and its propagators.

Veteran lawmaker Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who is aiming for a Senate comeback, said he would make a second attempt to outlaw “fake news” — a similar proposal he pushed in 2019 that failed to gain political support.

"That's in my Top 10: anti-fake news law and anti-fake content. If we make it back to the Senate, it’s one of the first bills I will file, along with penalties for those who propagate fake news," Sotto said during a briefing before their campaign rally here on Friday.

ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo, a hard-hitting journalist, suggested that those who deliberately share false information without any effort to verify it should also face consequences.

"The government is not the only victim here. Every individual becomes a victim. We need a law that will punish even those who share fake news," he stated in Filipino.

He emphasized that the public must exercise caution in the face of rampant disinformation.

“If you know it’s fake, don’t share it. There should be severe penalties for those who spread fake content,” he added.

Makati City Mayor Abby Binay, meanwhile, pointed out that legislation alone will not curb false information unless strict enforcement is in place.

"Those who peddle fake news are bold because they think, ‘I won’t get caught,’" she stressed.

Binay added, “Enforcement is key. We need to catch them, we need to sample them, so that we can show everyone that we mean business.”

Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino, who claimed to be targeted by false reports recently, emphasized the need to enact laws that strike a balance between eliminating manipulative information on the internet and protecting freedom of speech.

“I support any initiative that would ferret out the truth and promote responsible journalism, without diminishing freedom of expression and the press,” he said.

Former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos highlighted the importance of investing in advanced technology and fact-checking tools to mitigate the spread of misleading and harmful content.

“Our laws must catch up with the speed of technology. It should be a continued development program that is well-funded,” he said.

Sotto, Tulfo, Binay, Tolentino, and Abalos are eyeing Senate seats under the ticket of Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, a coalition backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The administration slate includes 12 members, including the President’s sister, reelectionist Senator Imee Marcos, who was absent from the campaign rally for the second time.

The candidates explained that the lack of laws criminalizing the peddling of "fake news" has allowed perpetrators to exploit the power of social media to distort realities and shape public opinion.

A recent survey by Social Weather Stations showed that 59 percent of respondents are concerned about the rampant spread of “fake news” on various social media platforms (Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube).

The commissioned survey also revealed that 65 percent find it difficult to determine if a piece of information is fake or false.

Various bills have been introduced in Congress to criminalize “fake news” peddling. However, the proposals are often met with opposition, with some organizations fearing that the vague definition of “fake news” may lead to censorship.