Senate candidates from Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas pledged to push for stronger legislation and enforcement to combat disinformation and online deception.

Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, speaking at a press conference, said he would refile a bill to penalize fake news and other forms of digital falsehoods.

“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 and penalties for those who produce those fake news,” Sotto said.

Reelectionist Senator Francis Tolentino, recently targeted by false reports, recounted being wrongly accused of involvement in a shooting incident.

“You know I was also a victim in the first week of March. I was supposedly involved in a shooting, but a news organization apologized on live TV,” Tolentino said.

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

Meantime, Makati City Mayor Abby Binay underscored the need for stronger enforcement alongside legislation.

“Those who create fake news are emboldened because they think they won’t get caught,” Binay said.

“Enforcement is key. We need to catch people, set an example, to show everyone that we mean business,” she added.

Former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said cybercrime has surpassed theft as the most reported crime in the country.

He cited an incident where an old robbery video circulated online as if it were new, prompting police to clarify the matter.

Abalos called for greater investment in digital capabilities at the local level.

“We need to bring technological expertise down to every city, every municipality. We need to have non-uniformed personnel who are trained and updated on technology,” Abalos said.

“Our laws must catch up with the speed of technology. It should be a continued development program that can be properly funded,” he added.