MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday warned the public against deliberately fabricating stories and spreading misinformation and disinformation online regarding the energy crisis.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Dave Gomez warned that people who spread misinformation “will be held to account to the fullest extent of the law.”
Gomez was referring to social media posts which circulated during Holy Week telling of a supposed “energy lockdown starting April 20, 2026” and urged citizens to prepare necessities such as power banks, solar equipment, food, medicines, and water.
“We remind users of social media platforms that publishing false news is punishable by up to six months imprisonment under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code. When committed online, the penalty is doubled under the Cybercrime Prevention Act,” Gomez said.
“Spreading fake news and disinformation undermines public trust, destabilizes our economy, and threatens the welfare of every Filipino during this time of energy emergency,” he added.
He said that “there will be zero tolerance” for parties who maliciously and intentionally proliferate fake news online “to advance their personal or political vested interest.”
