Philippine President Vetoes Bill On Social Media Abuse

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed a bill that would require social media users to register their legal identities and phone numbers, calling for a more thorough study of the measure.

Lawmakers had approved the measure earlier this year as they sought to thwart online abuse and misinformation, especially in the run up to the May 9 general election.

But with Duterte’s veto, the bill is unlikely to be passed before the poll.

Social media has become a key campaigning platform for candidates running for president, vice president, and thousands of seats in the two chambers of Congress and local governments.

Duterte’s election victory in 2016 was partly attributed to a well-organised social media campaign, but critics have blamed pro-Duterte trolls and influencers for spreading misinformation to discredit and threaten opponents.

Presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said that while Duterte had lauded lawmakers’ efforts to address cybercrimes and other online offences, he disagreed with the inclusion of social media in the bill without detailed guidelines.

He said the lack of guidelines “may give rise to a situation of dangerous state intrusion and surveillance threatening many constitutionally protected rights”.

He added that the veto should not, however, deter lawmakers from passing effective and strengthened measures that ensure a safe and secure online environment for Filipinos.