Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday responded to critics accusing him of pushing for a measure that would trample on freedom of speech.

Villanueva has filed an anti-fake news bill which seeks up to P5 million in fine and up to five years imprisonment for any person who “maliciously” offers, publishes, and spreads false news or information in print, broadcast or online media.

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“Siguro nasa record niyong lahat na isa ako sa longest running member of Congress na nakikipaglaban sa tinatawag na Access to Information policy o mas kilala ngayon bilang Freedom of Information… Bakit ako magiging dahilan para supilin ang freedom of expression at ‘yung freedom of speech?” Villanueva told reporters at the Senate.

(I believe that in all your records, I’m one of the longest running members of Congress who has been fighting for the Access to Information policy or more commonly known as Freedom of Information… Why would I be the reason behind the suppression of freedom of expression and freedom of speech?)

“Definitely ‘yun ‘yung hindi natin papayagan sa fake news (We definitely will not allow the suppression of freedom of speech with fake news),” Villanueva assured.

Last June, Villanueva filed Senate Bill No. 1492 or “An Act Penalizing the Malicious Distribution of False News and Other Related Violations,” penalizing peddlers of false news.

False news or information, as defined in the bill, is that those which either intends to cause panic, division, chaos, violence, and hate, or which exhibit a propaganda to blacken or discredit one’s reputation.

“May mga ibang bansa nga na nagsusuffer ‘yung election nila just because of fake news and if we just sit down and do nothing, hindi natin papayagan ‘yun. Sayang naman ‘yung 18 million na bumoto sa akin kung uupuan ko lang ‘yun,” he said.

(There are other countries where their elections suffered just because of fake news and if we just sit down and do nothing, we won’t let that happen. Those 18 million votes for me would go to waste if I just sit and do nothing.)

Villanueva’s proposed measure did not sit well with some personalities and lawmakers, saying penalizing fake news will only endanger people’s constitutional right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

But the senator explained that once the Senate discusses the bill, elements that make up fake news will be distinguished and clarified first.

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The bill will also protect journalists who will have to report on government officials who spread fake news.

“For example, nakakakuha kayo ng information from a government official and you found out ‘yung government official is fully aware na fake ‘yung news niya pero binalita niyo (If you received information from a government official and you found out that they were fully aware that it was fake but you reported it). Will you be liable? Of course not,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva said the bill will also specifically target social media trolls creating fake items online.

“Definitely (trolls will be covered), but there are some exceptions that we want to talk about of course ‘yung mga satirical websites. ‘Wag natin ding tanggilin ‘yung ating sense of humor. Hindi rin dapat ito maging balakid (Let’s not get rid of our sense of humor. This shouldn’t be an obstacle),” he said. JE/rga

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