QUEZON CITY, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Province 2nd District Representative David “Jayjay” Suarez has introduced legislation that would ban social media platforms from operating in the country unless they secure a franchise from Congress.
Under House Bill (HB) 4786, also known as the Social Media Platform Franchise Act, major social media channels would be classified as public services, requiring them to obtain legislative franchises to maintain local operations.
Suarez filed the measure in response to a string of campus shootings across the country, most recently an incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato on Friday, September 18, involving a student shooter reportedly influenced by the “dark web” that left three people dead, including the gunman.
The attack follows earlier incidents of school violence, including a Grade 9 student who livestreamed a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Facebook before taking his own life, and a June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban where two students killed three individuals amid reports of social media influence.
Highlighting the scope of digital usage in the country, Suarez stressed the urgent need to address the unchecked spread of online violence.
“These three deadly incidents in four months show how platforms used daily by more than 90 million Filipinos—who spend an average of 3 hours and 32 minutes on Facebook, TikTok, and similar services—have become critical digital infrastructure. When violent content spreads quickly, attacks are broadcast in real time, and local accountability is limited, the public harm is harder to contain,” Suarez said.
Suarez emphasized that platforms generating substantial revenue in the Philippines must be held accountable for user safety and content moderation.
“Social media is no longer just entertainment. It shapes our democracy, our economy, and the safety of our children,” Suarez said. “This bill closes oversight gaps, holds platforms accountable, and protects Filipino users from harm while fostering a fair digital marketplace,” he added.
The bill seeks to amend the Public Service Act by inserting Section 4-A to classify social media platforms as digital services, thereby compelling them to establish a physical local presence and secure a franchise prior to operation.
Under the proposed legal framework, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) would be granted regulatory oversight over platform content.
The measure comes alongside HB 9825, or the Digital Safety of Minors Act, which remains pending and proposes to ban children under 13 from creating social media accounts.
Defending the intent behind the franchise requirement, Suarez asserted that the proposal aims to safeguard the public rather than restrict free speech.
“Filipinos deserve a digital space that is safe, fair, and truly serves the public interest. This is about empowering our people, not stifling free expression. After the shootings in Tacloban, Zamboanga, and Banga, platforms that reach tens of millions of users—including students—must meet basic standards of responsibility. Accountability is overdue,” Suarez stated.