The Philippine government is open to considering broader restrictions—including potential bans—on digital platforms that pose risks to public safety, contribute to violence, or fail to address the rampant spread of misinformation.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement during a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, following discussions initiated by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) regarding proposals to ban Meta, or Facebook, amid incidents of deadly violence linked to social media activity.
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Thorough Study Required: While open to exploring strict measures, the Palace emphasized that any potential ban or restriction must undergo a careful, evidence-based review to weigh its broader implications on communication, business, education, and the public’s access to information.
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Focus on Accountability and Misinformation: Castro pointed out that social media companies must demonstrate accountability in protecting Filipino users—particularly the youth—from online violence and deliberate fake news.
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Protection of Free Speech: The Palace firmly stressed that these measures target malicious misinformation rather than legitimate criticism or freedom of expression, noting that under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., valid opinions and political discourse remain fully protected.
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Scope Beyond Social Media: Castro clarified that the government’s openness to regulatory scrutiny applies broadly to any digital platform or gaming application found to be harmful to the nation’s youth and public welfare.
Addressing whether the government would consider banning platforms that fail to cooperate, Castro stated: “Kung hindi magkakaroon ng accountability ang anumang social media platform at parang nababalewala ang ating mga hiling para maproteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan laban sa karahasan, laban sa fake news, mabagal ang pagtugon, magandang pag-isipan at pag-aralan kung dapat silang manatili na parte ng ating sistema.”
Reiterating the administration’s stance on democratic rights versus harmful falsehoods, Castro added: “Iba naman po kasi iyong fake news. Iba naman iyong ikaw ay naglalahad lamang ng iyong opinion, kritiko ka, hindi po yan pinagbabawalan. Wala pong pinagbabawalang kritiko lalong-lalo na sa panahon ngayon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.”
Malacañang has not announced an immediate or outright ban on Facebook or any other digital platform. Instead, the administration’s current position centers on demanding greater platform accountability, urging tech companies to actively address safety concerns, and evaluating all regulatory options to safeguard the future of Filipino citizens.
