Malacañang is open to considering broader restrictions on digital platforms, including potential bans, if social media companies fail to address harmful content and protect the public.
During a Palace press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is willing to study stronger measures. Her remarks follow proposals from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to consider banning platforms like Facebook over recent incidents of deadly violence linked to social media activity.
Castro stressed that any action requires a thorough study to balance public safety against accountability.
“Kung kinakailangan po,” Castro said regarding potential bans. “Kailangan din pong pag-aralan kung ito ba ay nakakabuti sa paglaganap ng mga fake news sa ating bansa.”
She emphasized that tech companies must actively protect Filipino users. “Kung hindi magkakaroon ng accountability ang anumang social media platform… magandang pag-isipan at pag-aralan kung dapat silang manatili na parte ng ating sistema,” she added.
Castro clarified that Malacañang’s stance targets deliberate disinformation, which risks the future of Filipino youth, and is not an attempt to suppress legitimate criticism or free speech. She noted that the review could encompass various platforms, including gaming apps, but reaffirmed that any final decision would require careful, evidence-based evaluation.