Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has filed an Anti-Online Hate and Harassment Bill, also known as the “Emman Atienza Bill,” that will penalize cyberlibel, online hate speech, and harassment and offer support and protection to victims.
“While social media serves as a platform to advocate for truth, it has also given room for ruining reputations, spreading fake news, rumors, false accusations, and violence. In reality, there are no delete or edit buttons for the ones we have hurt,” Ejercito said.
Senate Bill No. 1474 reinforces safeguards under the existing Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Anti-Bullying Act.
Perpetrators will face imprisonment and fines from ₱50,000 to as much as ₱200,000, depending on the gravity and frequency of the offense. Individuals not of legal age will undergo counseling and education in order to correct abusive online behavior.
Meanwhile, the bill also entails a Victim Support and Protection Program that offers psychosocial support and counseling under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH). Moreover, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will provide victims with legal aid and protection. The program’s cost will be shouldered by the perpetrators, on top of their penalties.
The bill seeks not to restrict speech, Ejercito said, but to uphold accountability in online spaces and strike a balance between free expression and respect for human dignity.
Under the bill, fair commentary, satire, criticism, and opinions, especially regarding public officials, remain fully protected, with the exception of content containing false or defamatory statements.
“We hope Emman's passing will not be in vain as we push for the immediate passage of this measure. We need to bring back kindness online, where people pause and think before they post. We must prevent another tragedy where our fellowmen, especially the youth, are pushed to the breaking point by the vitriol of online hate,” the senator said.
According to a report by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), online libel, including defamatory posts and public shaming on social media platforms, is among the top five cyber-related complaints in the country, accounting for 1,452 cases in 2024. This number, said the lawmaker, may actually be higher, as many incidents go unreported.
The late Emman Atienza, whom the bill is named after, was TV personality Kim Atienza’s daughter. Prior to her death, she was reportedly subjected to cyberbullying.
