DICT chief backs bill requiring legislative franchises for social media platforms

MANILA, Philippines — Information and Communications Technology Chief Henry Aguda has expressed his support for a proposed bill in the House of Representatives that would require social media sites and online platforms to secure a legislative franchise to operate in the Philippines.

In a press conference on Thursday, September 24, Aguda said that the measure is crucial for public safety and public service, as these digital platforms heavily impact the general public.

To justify his stance, the DICT chief drew a direct comparison between social media giants and traditional broadcasters. He pointed out that broadcasters are strictly required to obtain a legislative franchise, pay taxes, and follow specific guidelines on how they report.

“Parang unfair naman na hindi i-require yung same standards from others na kung tutuusin mas malaki ang kita, mas malaki ang reach. Di ba?” Aguda said.

(It seems unfair not to require the same standards from others who actually make higher profits and have a wider reach, right?)

The said bill refers to House Bill No. 4786 filed by Rep. David Suarez (Quezon 2nd District) on September 23, which will require major social media platforms to secure a congressional legislative franchise before they can operate in the Philippines.

The bill seeks to amend Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the Public Service Act, by inserting a provision that would classify covered social media platforms as "public services of significant public consequence."

This would require them to obtain a congressional franchise before operating in the Philippines, similar to broadcasting companies, telecommunications firms, and electric utilities.

“In light of their pervasive influence, essential nature, market dominance, and critical impact on national security and public discourse, social media platforms demonstrably embody the characteristics of a 'public service of public consequence' or even 'critical infrastructure.' Their capacity to affect national security through the rapid spread of misinformation and their crucial role in the socio-economic activities of the populace necessitate a robust regulatory framework,” the proposed House Bill read.

The legislative proposal gained traction following the school shooting on September 18 at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

In that tragedy, a 16-year-old student fatally shot three individuals after interacting with online "nihilistic violent extremism" networks operating on platforms such as Discord and TikTok.

Ronald Gustilo, the convenor of digital advocates Digital Pinoys, said that requiring platforms to secure a congressional franchise should be carefully studied first, pointing out the difficulty of obtaining one and noting that such a mandate would set a global precedent.

“The most important thing is that the government comes up with a mechanism that ensures their compliance while encouraging their continued presence here in the Philippines,” Gustilo told Philstar.com.

On Thursday, Aguda also announced the lifting of the ban on the online platform Discord.

In a statement, digital advocates Digital Pinoys welcomed Discord's promises, saying that closer cooperation between tech platforms and Philippine authorities is essential to addressing cybercrime, cybersecurity and online safety.

"The establishment of clear channels for government coordination and a local point of contact can help facilitate faster and more effective responses to legitimate concerns raised by Philippine authorities," Digital Pinoys said.

"Digital Pinoys looks forward to seeing these commitments translated into concrete mechanisms that will strengthen cooperation and help create a safer digital environment for Filipinos," the group added.

abtestabtest Cybersecurity agency clarifies extension granted only to Reddit, not Discord By Kristine Daguno-Bersamina | 22 hours ago The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center clarified that the extension granted to online platform Reddit does... Headlines Monsod criticizes senators over stand on vote threshold By Ghio Ong | 7 hours ago A framer of the 1987 Constitution called out Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar, who objected to the proposal... Headlines Future impeachment courts can decide differently in threshold question By Cristina Chi | 13 hours ago Future impeachment courts can compute the two-thirds vote for conviction differently from the court trying Vice President... Headlines Bill extending terms of barangay, SK officials sent to Malacañang 14 hours ago The bill extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from four to five years is now up for the president's... Headlines After SC nudge, Senate to seek urgent tag for anti-dynasty bill By Cristina Chi | 16 hours ago The Senate will ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to tag the anti-political dynasty bill as urgent in the hopes of securing... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Tropical storm Queenie enters PAR NBI: 1 contractor bagged P7 billion Davao flood projects DepEd: Schools’ budget doubled in 5 years Warships from ASEAN, other states sail in West Philippine Sea abtest PSA: Bangsamoro polls random manual audit 99.9% accurate By Christine Boton | 7 hours ago The Random Manual Audit conducted for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary election yielded an... Headlines House wraps up budget talks on more agencies By Delon Porcalla | 7 hours ago Budget deliberations for fiscal year 2027 of at least seven more agencies have been terminated by the House of Representatives,... Headlines Cordillera People’s Alliance leaders ask Court of Appeals to remove terrorist tag By Ian Laqui | 13 hours ago The appellants—Windel Bolinget, Sarah Abellon-Alikes, Jennifer Awingan-Taggaoa, and Stephen A. Tauli—are seeking... Headlines NBI arrests individual linked to South Cotabato school shooting By Renalyn Ramirez | 14 hours ago The NBI is seeking a P1 billion confidential funds for the procurement of tools and equipment that Matibag said should be... Headlines PAGCOR to fund 456 classrooms in 38 LGUs as shortage drags on By Cristina Chi | 15 hours ago The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation will fund the construction of 456 classrooms in public schools in 38 cities... Headlines Recommended Monsod criticizes senators over stand on vote threshold 7 hours ago A framer of the 1987 Constitution called out Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar, who objected to the proposal... HeadlinesSENATORSVOTE Gatchalian attends MOPC dialogue 7 hours ago Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will attend today’s dialogue with the Manila Overseas Press Club. HeadlinesGATCHALIAN Wanted: Counselors September 25, 2026 - 12:00am While riveted by the events unfolding at the Senate, let’s not forget the threat faced by millions of young people in our schools. HeadlinesSENATE Senate OKs new franchise for Razon’s power utility 7 hours ago Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bohol Light Co. Inc. is moving closer to securing a new franchise to operate in Tagbilaran... HeadlinesENRIQUE RAZON Future impeachment courts can decide differently in threshold question 13 hours ago Future impeachment courts can compute the two-thirds vote for conviction differently from the court trying Vice President... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENTSENATE next Recommended Monsod criticizes senators over stand on vote threshold A framer of the 1987 Constitution called out Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Camille Villar, who objected to the proposal to lower the number of votes needed to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial. 7 hours ago SENATORS VOTE Gatchalian attends MOPC dialogue Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian will attend today’s dialogue with the Manila Overseas Press Club. 7 hours ago GATCHALIAN Wanted: Counselors While riveted by the events unfolding at the Senate, let’s not forget the threat faced by millions of young people in our schools. 7 hours ago SENATE Senate OKs new franchise for Razon’s power utility Tycoon Enrique Razon Jr.’s Bohol Light Co. Inc. is moving closer to securing a new franchise to operate in Tagbilaran City after hurdling the Senate. 7 hours ago ENRIQUE RAZON Future impeachment courts can decide differently in threshold question Future impeachment courts can compute the two-thirds vote for conviction differently from the court trying Vice President Sara Duterte, which ruled this week that only senators able to take part in the trial will be counted. 13 hours ago SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!