Senator Erwin Tulfo pushed for the creation of accountability mechanisms against those who deliberately spread false information, emphasizing that combating disinformation is vital to protecting democracy.
Speaking before delegates at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, Tulfo, who heads the Philippine delegation, delivered a speech outlining how fake news has distorted public perception of government and politics in the Philippines.
“We, in the Philippines, have seen how fake news and malicious online campaigns can erode public trust, distort democratic discourse, and even incite anger and violence. What begins as a false post or manipulated image can spread faster than facts, and the damage, once done, is often irreversible,” Tulfo told lawmakers from ASEAN, Korea, Japan, and China on October 19.
While acknowledging the dangers of disinformation, Tulfo underscored the importance of protecting freedom of speech as a cornerstone of democratic societies.
“Our task, therefore, is not to silence voices, but to safeguard truth; to ensure that the digital public square remains a place for informed dialogue, not deception,” said Tulfo, a veteran broadcaster turned legislator.
He urged his fellow parliamentarians to strengthen legal frameworks that would hold accountable those who intentionally spread falsehoods without infringing on legitimate expression.
“We must work together as parliamentarians to strengthen legal frameworks that hold accountable those who deliberately spread falsehoods, without endangering legitimate expression,” he appealed.
Beyond legal measures, Tulfo also called for greater investment in media literacy programs, particularly for the youth, to help citizens distinguish truth from lies.
“Ultimately, the fight against disinformation is not only about defending our leaders; it is about defending democracy itself,” he declared.
Tulfo currently serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, where he actively promotes transparency and accountability to curb the spread of misinformation in the country.
In July, he filed Senate Bill No. 768, which seeks to penalize the creation and distribution of fake news—defined as intentionally deceptive content presented as factual. He also introduced Senate Bill No. 1361, or the “People’s Freedom of Information Act,” to strengthen government transparency and counter misinformation.
The Philippine delegation to the ongoing IPU Assembly, which runs until October 23, includes Senators Raffy Tulfo and Imee Marcos, and Representatives Ferdinand Hernandez, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Ma. Georgina De Venecia, Maria Rachel Arenas, Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III, Brian Poe-Llamanzares, Jonathan Clement Abalos II, and Florabel Yatco.