LEDAC expands priority bills to include anti-fake news measure

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council on Tuesday expanded its list of priority measures from 48 to 52 after approving the inclusion of four additional legislative proposals, including the proposed Anti-Fake News and Digital Disinformation Act.

Also added to the priority list were measures addressing online sexual abuse and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, the abolition of the travel tax, and the resetting of the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

House Speaker Faustino Dy III pushed for the inclusion of the anti-disinformation measure during the LEDAC meeting presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, warning that the unchecked spread of digital falsehoods poses a growing threat to democratic institutions, national security, and the well-being of Filipino youth.

“At this juncture, we believe it is also necessary to raise the importance of passing a law against fake news and digital disinformation. Ang fake news o digital disinformation ay matinding banta sa ating demokrasya,” Dy said.

The Speaker warned that fake news is being deliberately weaponized to erode public trust, manipulate election outcomes, and undermine national security.

“Ginagamit ito ng iba upang pagmulan ng pagkasira ng tiwala ng publiko, impluwensyahan ang pagboto sa halalan, at panghimasukan ang seguridad ng ating bansa,” he said.

Beyond its political and security implications, Dy also underscored the harmful effects of digital disinformation on children and young people, citing its impact on mental health, social development, and belief formation.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakabahala pa, nagdudulot ito ng masamang epekto sa kabataan. Fake news damages children’s mental health, affects their social growth, twists their beliefs, and targets their inherent weaknesses,” he said.

Dy said the House of Representatives supports House Bill No. 2697, authored by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to combat fake news and digital disinformation while safeguarding constitutional protections on free expression.

Lawmakers said the proposed measure is part of a broader effort to address gaps in existing laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and provisions of the Revised Penal Code, which do not fully account for the scale, coordination, and societal harm posed by modern disinformation campaigns.

Several similar bills remain pending before House committees, with deliberations focused on defining fake news, assigning accountability to organized disinformation networks, and ensuring safeguards for legitimate speech.

Dy urged that the Anti-Fake News and Digital Disinformation Bill be elevated to LEDAC priority status to enable swift and coordinated action by both chambers of Congress.