Manila, Philippines — December 15, 2025
Senator Robin Padilla raised concerns on Monday about whether social media posts that constitute character assassination or defamation, particularly against top government officials such as the President, Vice President, and Senate President, can be removed to protect national security. The issue was brought up during the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media hearing on fake news and troll farms.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) explained that posts can be immediately taken down only if they involve terrorism, threats to national security, or abuse. Posts outside these categories require filing a formal complaint and requesting removal from the respective social media platform.
“Social media platforms operate in our country, yet we have no authority to tell them what to do?” Padilla questioned during the hearing.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified that the government currently has no mechanism to dictate community standards for social media platforms, highlighting the limitations of regulatory power in controlling online content.
The discussion underscores ongoing challenges in balancing freedom of expression with the protection of public officials from online disinformation and personal attacks.