TACLOBAN CITY — House Deputy Majority Leader Jude Acidre of Tingog party-list group has voiced growing concern over the spread of disinformation on social media, warning that it is gradually eroding public trust in institutions and the nation’s collective sense of truth.
“I think it is incumbent upon Congress to find ways to address disinformation and misinformation, while also protecting the right to freedom of speech and the right to information,” Acidre said in an interview.
The lawmaker emphasized the need to strike a delicate balance between combating false information and safeguarding the public’s right to express criticism and opinions freely.
“We must find a careful balance on how we can address disinformation and misinformation, and at the same time protect individuals’ rights to express grievances or opinions about the government,” he said.
Acidre pointed out that ordinary citizens are among those most affected by the proliferation of false or misleading content online.
While the House tri-committee—comprising the committees on public order and safety, information and communications technology, and public information—has already initiated an inquiry into the matter, Acidre clarified that the effort is not aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
“Clearly, we are not against people speaking up against the government. But we are against those who use these platforms to deliberately destroy the government. That’s very different from responsibly expressing grievances,” he stressed.
(RONALD O. REYES)
