The Victorias Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved an ordinance penalizing the dissemination of false or misleading information using the name or authority of the local government unit (LGU) and its officials.
The “Anti-Fake News Announcement Ordinance of Victorias City”, principally authored by Vice Mayor Derek Palanca, was passed on third and final reading during the SP’s regular session Sept. 8.
“This is not a general ordinance against fake news. It penalizes misleading information and fake news that use the authority or name of the LGU and its public officers. For example, if you will use our logo to mislead the public,” Palanca said in an interview Sept. 10.
He authored the proposal and pushed for its urgent approval, following false announcements on certain social media pages on the suspension of classes in Victorias due to inclement weather.
“We have to protect the integrity of the city government. Not just anybody can declare suspension of classes. That is not a power delegated to a news agency or any office. Only the Department of Education or the city mayor can declare the suspension of classes,” he added.
The anti-fake news announcement ordinance “applies to all persons, whether natural or juridical, who intentionally create, post, or disseminate false or misleading announcements, advisories, or statements, including but not limited to fake class suspensions, disaster alerts, executive orders, or public service announcements falsely attributed to the city government or its public officers, whether through social media, artificial intelligence tools, short message service, print, or other means.”
Palanca said the ordinance will allow and mandate the LGU to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation in cases involving advanced digital manipulation, cyber-related offenses or incidents requiring technical investigation beyond the city government’s capacity.
The City Legal Office (CLO) will then coordinate with the NBI, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, or other appropriate national government agencies for assistance in the investigation, identification of perpetrators, and filing of appropriate charges under national laws, he added.
For its part, the CLO, in coordination with the Victorias City Police Station, City Information Office, and Information Technology Office, is tasked to monitor, investigate and recommend action on violations of the ordinance.
Violators, on first offense, will be ordered to issue a written warning and mandatory public apology (online and/or in writing).
Also, the offender may voluntarily render community service of up to 24 hours as part of corrective action.
On second offense, a fine of P2,000 and/or voluntary community service of up to a total of 48 hours, subject to the offender’s written consent, will be imposed.
There will be a fine of P3,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 30 days, subject to the discretion of the court, on the third and succeeding offenses. | PNA
