The Commissions on Elections (Comelec) is encouraging Congress to pass a law against social media trolls.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said it is “difficult” to implement the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 against fake users sharing and posting libelous comments or disinformation online.
“We will push Congress to enact a law specifically for the campaign, specifically the use of trolls during the campaign period,” he said during an interview with ANC.
“Easily, anybody who will be victimized by these trolls can file cases in relation to cyber libel. But of course, it’s very difficult to prove and at the same, it’s very difficult to pinpoint the liability of individuals in this case.”
In February, fact-checking coalition, Tsek.ph, revealed during a Senate hearing that outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo was the main target of online disinformation in social media platforms. On the other hand, President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte were the main beneficiaries of online disinformation. — Ronald Espartinez