Social media platforms could soon face multi-million peso fines and prison sentences for executives if they repeatedly fail to remove violent and graphic media.
Senator Erwin Tulfo is finalizing legislation targeting tech giants that neglect their own community standards, noting that 18 fellow senators have already pledged support for the measure.
Under the draft bill, tech platforms would face escalating financial penalties, culminating in potential criminal charges for company leadership in cases of chronic non-compliance.
“Siguro, first offense, ilang milyong penalty. Second offense, ilang milyon kasi malalaking kumpanya ito. Pagtatawanan naman tayo kung ipe-penalty lang natin ng mga isang daang libo. Kailangan million ang penalty sa mga ito,” Tulfo stated.
“At pagkatapos first, second, third siguro kapag naulit, kailangan na managot yung mga opicial. May mga hindi lamang civil liabilities kundi may mga ika nga pagkakulong na kapag paulit-ulit na lamang na ginawa ito,” he added.
The legislative push follows intense public outcry over the widespread online distribution of explicit photos depicting victims from recent tragic shootings at Ateneo de Zamboanga University and San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
Tulfo argued that unlike traditional news media, which exercises editorial restraint, digital platforms allow high-performing graphic posts to remain accessible for extended periods.
He clarified that the proposed legislation aims solely to safeguard victim dignity and privacy rather than infringe upon speech freedoms or public information access. Lawmakers are currently determining jurisdictional boundaries and identifying the appropriate regulatory agency to enforce these sanctions.