Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro. (PNA file photo)
Malacañang on Tuesday voiced its support for a proposed bill aimed at penalizing the spread of false information.
“Even if we’re not directly asking the Palace, we truly support banning fake news,” said Claire Castro, Palace Press Officer and undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office, during a press briefing. She further proposed that all content creators be required to register in order to curb the spread of both misinformation and disinformation.
However, Castro stressed that lawmakers must first clearly define the scope of fake news before enacting any legislation. “Before any law is made, it’s essential to establish what constitutes fake news, set its limitations, and determine how to decide if a statement falls under this category,” she explained.
Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is contemplating a political comeback under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, had earlier mentioned that he would champion a similar bill if elected.
Addressing criticisms, the Presidential Communications Office, now led by Jay Ruiz, plans to intensify its campaign against fake news on social media. Castro noted that the current administration intends to ignore baseless remarks from political opponents. She also dismissed claims that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was behind any negative campaigning, calling such accusations mere campaign propaganda.
“We will only respond to criticisms that are logical and meaningful. Baseless or nonsensical remarks will not be entertained,” she said. “Regarding the President’s initial criticism, it was simply part of campaign propaganda without targeting any specific individual. With so many candidates in the fray, it’s puzzling why these complaints arise when they don’t pertain to anyone in particular.”
Finally, Castro advised those running in the midterm elections to ensure they are fully qualified for the positions they seek, warning that electing political newcomers might lead to a “waste of time” and public funds.