And now, the Commision on Elections (COMELEC) seeks to regulate a law against trolls on social media during campaign period. But, the question is, why only now?
READ: Troll ka po? How to identify trolls on social media
In ANC's Rundown, COMELEC Commissioner George Garcia said, "We would like to readily admit that because of the absence of a law regulating social media in the Philippines that the Comelec is really powerless, at least to monitor what you have said."
He also added, “That’s the reason why in the next Congress, we will really push for a social media regulation at least as far as election expenditure and campaign is concerned."
He further explained that internet trolls are not exempted and will be punished for their acts.
Why only now?
“It’s very difficult really to prove and prosecute and enforce [the Cyber Libel Prevention Act] but at the same time, we will push Congress to enact a law specifically for the campaign, specifically the use of trolls during the campaign period,” Garcia said.
“Easily, anybody who will be victimized by these trolls can file cases in relation to cyber libel but of course, it is very difficult to prove and at the same time it’s very difficult to pinpoint the liability of the individuals in this case,” Garcia added.
And according to Tsek.ph, outgoing Vice President Leni Robredo is the leading victim of disinformation.
It is high-time that COMELEC has considered putting a stop on internet trolls because of how badly influential they can be during the campaign period.
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