The fake news provision in the Bayanihan Act

I cannot count the number of times misleading messages reach my group chats. If the sender is a friend or relative, I adhere to the golden rule of choosing to be kind over being right. Conveying the truth through a private message is the best remedy. But Filipinos need to scrutinize their posts before sharing or posting because of Section 6(f) of the Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.” The provision penalizes “fake news” or disinformation, under which reads:

“Individuals or groups creating, perpetrating, or spreading false information regarding the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) crisis on social media and other platforms, such information having no valid or beneficial effect on the population, and are clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion; and those participating in cyber incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts.”