The Senate is not inclined to pass a law against fake news because senators recognize that such a law may impinge on the people’s freedom of speech and expression. ADVERTISEMENTPoe chairs the Senate committee on public information and mass media and is on top of the inquiry into fake news on social media. Mr. Duterte warned against prior restraint amid all the talk of fake news, saying it would be better if the penalties for slander and libel were just increased. “If you want, pass a law increasing the penalty, anyway you have slander, you have libel, civil case. Aquino said the Senate majority and minority wanted to pass a law that would have a clear policy “on the rules of engagement online.”

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 05, 2017 23:03 UTC