Author of social media registration bill decries 'too much democracy' online

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Negros Oriental), who has filed a bill to require the registration of social media accounts, spoke on the House floor on Monday to complain about "online bashers" and of the Philippines having "too much democracy."

Teves' privilege speech comes as mobile phone users in the Philippines register their SIM card under a law that initially also sought the mandatory registration of social media accounts. Congress passed the law quickly in 2022 despite privacy concerns raised by groups like the Computer Professionals' Union, EngageMedia and Human Rights Online Philippines.

"Bashing on social media is too much, it doesn’t seem right. I think there needs to be a law for this," Teves, who did not directly call for support of his Online and Social Media Membership Accountability bill, said. He said that discipline should be emphasized over "too much democracy."

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/01/24/2239872/author-social-media-registration-bill-decries-too-much-democracy-online