On top of the existing laws against the proliferation of false information, Senator Grace Poe is looking at recommending possible administrative cases for government officials and employees peddling fake news.
On Thursday, Poe concluded the hearings on fake news as chair of the Senate committee on public information and mass media.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (L) and Senator Grace Poe. INQUIRER file photos
Asked after the hearing what would be the possible recommendations of the committee, the senator explained that there are already existing laws that penalize the spread of false news, citing in particular the Revised Penal Code.
“Meron nang penalty, may pagkakakulong, mayroong multa kaya wala namang bago. Siguro dinadagdag natin ang mga kasong administratibo kung ikaw ay opisyal o empleyado ng gobyerno at paninindigan ko iyan. Bakit ikakasama iyan? Pati nga naman kami kasama diyan,” she said.
(There is already a penalty, there is jail term, there is a penalty fee, so there is nothing new. Maybe we are adding administrative cases if you are an official or employee of the government and I will be standing firm on this. Why would include that? Even us are included there.)
Poe was referring to her Senate Bill. No. 1680 that seeks to amend Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The proposed amendments, if approved, would prohibit and penalize public servants for spreading fake news.
Asked if an administrative order would be enough to impose stricter rules on government officials and employees, the senator said: “Not necessarily. We’ll see what the committee report will cover but definitely there’s no room for hate speech.”
While she agreed with presidential spokesman Harry Roque’s earlier statement that it should be up to the public to determine what is fake news or not, Poe insisted that public servants must be responsible also when sharing information to the people.
READ: Roque to resign if Congress approves anti-fake news bill
“First of all nasa madla iyan na determinahin kung totoo o hindi pero ikaw bilang opisyal ng gobyerno may responsibilidad ka rin na kapag alam mong hindi makatotohanan, wag mong ilabas,” said Poe.
(It is up to the people to determine if it is real or not but for government official, you have a responsibility that if you know it is not true, don’t send it.)
“Bakit niya (Roque) sinasabi iyon porke’t na nandoon na siya ngayon? Magkakasama naman kami lahat…” she added.
(Why is he [Roque] saying that, is that because he is there already? We are all included.)
Poe also gave a categorical yes answer when asked again if she was suggesting that stricter penalties should be imposed to public servants.
“Oo. Kapag hindi makatotohanan yung sinasabi o kapag kasinungalingan, ikaw ay nasa gobyerno. Either ikaw ay hinalal ng taumbayan kaya ka nandiyan o dahil tinanggap mo ang isang posisyon, kailangan ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan.”
(Yes, if it is not true or lies, it is you who are in government. Either you are there because you were elected or you accepted a certain position, we need the trust of our countrymen.)
“Kung ayaw mong magkaroon ng ganung responsibilidad, huwag kang sumapi sa gobyerno,” she further said.
(If you do not want that kind of responsibility, do not join the government.)
But Poe clarified that her committee has yet to study and finalize its recommendations. /jpv