MANILA — The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) expanded its list of priority measures from 48 to 52, following the inclusion of four additional legislative proposals, including the proposed Anti-Fake News and Digital Disinformation Act.

The expanded priority list now covers bills addressing online sexual abuse and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (OSAEC/CSAEM), the proliferation of fake news and digital disinformation, the abolition of the travel tax, and the resetting of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) elections.

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III pushed for the inclusion of the anti-disinformation measure during the LEDAC meeting presided over by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, warning that the unchecked spread of digital falsehoods poses a serious threat to democratic institutions, national security, and the well-being of Filipino youth.

“At this juncture, we believe it is also necessary to raise the importance of passing a law against fake news and digital disinformation. Ang fake news o digital disinformation ay matinding banta sa ating demokrasya,” Dy said.

He added that fake news is deliberately weaponized to erode public trust, manipulate electoral outcomes, and undermine national security.

“Ginagamit ito ng iba upang pagmulan ng pagkasira ng tiwala ng publiko, impluwensyahan ang pagboto sa halalan, at panghimasukan ang seguridad ng ating bansa,” Dy said.

Beyond political and security implications, Dy also highlighted the harmful impact of digital disinformation on children and young people, noting its effects on mental health, social development, and belief formation.

“Nakakalungkot at nakakabahala pa, nagdudulot ito ng masamang epekto sa kabataan. Fake news damages children’s mental health, affects their social growth, twists their beliefs, and targets their inherent weaknesses,” he said.

Dy expressed the House of Representatives’ support for House Bill No. 2697, authored by House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, which seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to combat fake news and digital disinformation while upholding constitutional guarantees on free expression.

The proposed measure is part of broader legislative efforts to address gaps in existing laws, including the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and provisions of the Revised Penal Code, which lawmakers say do not fully address the scale, coordination, and societal harm caused by modern digital disinformation campaigns.

Dy appealed for the elevation of the Anti-Fake News and Disinformation Bill to LEDAC priority status to ensure swift and coordinated action by both chambers of Congress.

“Hiling po namin na maisama ang Anti-Disinformation Bill sa ating mga priority measures dahil kailangan na kailangan nating magsulong ng mga konkretong hakbang upang ang bawat Pilipino ay maproteksyunan laban sa organisadong panloloko,” he said.