Department of Justice

Zules 10:15 AM, Feb 07, 2020

Hi, may I respectfully request for the following data concerning filed cases on purveyors of fake news:

1) How many cases were filed since 2017-2020?
2) What are the penalties? 
3) Who investigates the case?
4) Are there any law/s on fake news?
5) What issue has the most number of filed cases on fake news? Political? Health news? Media? etc.

I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations on any other data and information that I could acquire related to fake news.

Thank you.

Doreen Zules
Graduate Student
UP Diliman

11:31 AM, Mar 04, 2020

02 March 2020



Dear Doreen Zules,

Greetings!

Thank you for your request dated 07 February 2020 at 10:16 AM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch.


Your Request

You requested for information and data concerning filed cases of purveyors of fake news.


Response to Request

Your request is partially granted. With respect to your query on laws on fake news, a separate law penalizing distribution of false news has yet to be passed in the Philippines. However, Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code or the Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances penalizes “any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State.” Article 154 has been further amended by Republic Act Number 10951 which imposes the penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from Php 40,000.00 to Php 200,000 for violation of Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code.

On your query re cases filed since 2017-2020 on fake news, our records indicate that no complaint filed during this period.


Your right to request a review.

If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to Hon. Menardo I. Guevarra, Secretary, Department of Justice, Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date when you have received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of receipt of your review request.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011).

Thank you.