House Speaker Faustino Dy III has sounded a clarion call for the implementation of robust safeguards to combat the growing threats of online harms and systemic disinformation. Speaking at the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress, Dy emphasized that the protection of Filipino families from digital toxicity remains a top legislative priority. He highlighted the urgent need to address the psychological toll that unregulated internet content takes on the nation, particularly noting that the current digital landscape is rife with violence, indecency, and content that can be detrimental to the developing minds of the youth.
Beyond the immediate protection of children, Speaker Dy underscored that no sector of society is shielded from the corrosive effects of online falsehoods. He expressed deep concern over how misinformation acts as a catalyst for social friction, fueling unnecessary conflict and deepening divisions among the citizenry. According to the Speaker, the democratic integrity of the country is under threat when public discourse is hijacked by malicious propaganda, urging the public to prioritize verified truths over viral sensationalism and to choose unity over the bitterness spread by digital echo chambers.
The House of Representatives has already made significant strides in institutionalizing digital resilience by passing landmark measures such as the Digital Media Anti-False Information Act and the Child Online Safety and Protection Act of 2026. These legislative efforts signify a proactive approach by the 20th Congress to regulate the digital frontier. By establishing legal frameworks to hold malicious actors accountable, the House aims to create an environment where the internet serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a weapon of social discord.
Central to the Speaker’s agenda is the push for House Bill 9965, also known as the Children’s Social Media Safety Act. Co-authored by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, this proposed legislation seeks to prohibit children under the age of 13 from accessing social media platforms. Dy has officially requested that this bill be included in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures, signaling his commitment to ensuring that physical and psychological safety for minors becomes a centerpiece of the administration’s legislative strategy.
The urgency of these measures is reinforced by recent data from a nationwide Pulse Asia survey conducted between June 28 and July 3, which illustrates the profound integration of the internet into daily Filipino life. Currently, 85% of Filipino adults are internet users, with the vast majority accessing the web multiple times every day. With social media usage being nearly universal among these internet users, the prevalence of disinformation has become a critical national concern, with 72% of Filipinos identifying it as a major problem that requires immediate systemic intervention.
Despite the high level of digital engagement, the survey reveals a concerning vulnerability in the Philippine public: while many citizens claim to verify conflicting information, 41% of internet users admitted they are likely to believe misleading content simply because it has been widely shared and popularized online. Concluding his remarks, Speaker Dy stated that a strong democracy relies on an informed and critical-thinking populace. He charged his colleagues and the public alike to remain vigilant, emphasizing that preserving the truth is the most fundamental step toward maintaining the stability of the Philippine nation.
