Sen. Erwin Tulfo is seeking million-peso fines and possible imprisonment for social media platforms that repeatedly fail to stop graphic and violent content from spreading online, questioning why platforms such as Meta continue to allow harmful material despite their own community standards.
Tulfo said he is putting the finishing touches on a bill that would impose escalating penalties on platforms that fail to enforce their rules, arguing that major tech companies should face tougher consequences when weak content moderation causes further harm to victims and their families.
“Siguro, first offense, ilang milyong penalty. Second offense, ilang milyon kasi malalaking kumpanya ito. Pagtatawanan naman tayo kung ipe-penalty lang natin ng mga isang daang libo. Kailangan million ang penalty sa mga ito,” Tulfo said.
The proposal comes after graphic photos and videos from the recent fatal shootings at Ateneo de Zamboanga University and San Jose National High School in Tacloban City circulated online. Tulfo questioned how disturbing footage of violence and victims continues to spread, particularly scrutinizing Meta’s enforcement and removal of content that breaches its policies.
The senator warned that repeated violations could bring tougher sanctions beyond fines, including possible jail time for responsible officials if platforms repeatedly fail to remove prohibited content.
“At pagkatapos first, second, third siguro kapag naulit, kailangan na managot yung mga opisyal. May mga hindi lamang civil liabilities kundi may mga ika nga pagkakulong na kapag paulit-ulit na lamang na ginawa ito,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo said social media companies should take greater responsibility for material posted and shared on their platforms, noting that traditional media outlets generally refrain from publishing graphic images that could further traumatize victims and their families. He said companies that profit from online engagement should also be held accountable when harmful material continues circulating.
