Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz has called on tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to take stronger action against the spread of fake news and disinformation in the Philippines.
Ruiz made the statement during a House tri-committee hearing on online disinformation, emphasizing that Meta has a significant role in ensuring the accuracy of information consumed by the public, especially in light of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to fight fake news and deliver credible information to the people.
He cited a recent case in which a fake memorandum, falsely attributed to the Office of the Executive Secretary, was widely shared online. Despite a formal declaration from the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (DICT-CICC) that the document was fabricated, Meta reportedly refused to remove the content.
“They didn’t take it down,” Ruiz said. “Their reason was freedom of expression and that each user is accountable for their own account. But then, are we simply at the mercy of these platforms? They aren’t even based here, they don’t pay taxes here, and yet they won’t regulate or stop fake news in the Philippines.”
Ruiz stressed that the spread of disinformation undermines public trust and hampers the government’s efforts to effectively serve the population. He urged Meta and similar platforms to take a more proactive and responsible approach in moderating harmful content.
He highlighted the approach of countries like Singapore, where social media companies face penalties of up to 6 percent of their revenue if found complicit in disseminating false information—a model he suggested the Philippines could consider.
“There are penalties against platforms that allow fake news. In Singapore, they impose up to 6 percent of a company’s profits in fines,” he noted.
Ruiz also warned of the dangers disinformation poses to the country’s democratic process, particularly during elections.
“What happens when people base their decisions on lies? What kind of voters—and what kind of democracy—will we have?” he asked. “Eventually, our citizens won’t be making informed decisions, but decisions based on deception. Yes, there is a right to information, but that right should be to accurate information.”
The Marcos administration has been vocal in its efforts to ensure the public has access to reliable data, especially in relation to key programs such as “Benteng Bigas Meron Na,” which aims to provide affordable rice at PhP20 per kilo as part of broader food security and social welfare goals.
