Malacañang said it is open to proposals that would require social media platforms to secure a congressional franchise. The plan aims to give the government more authority over how these platforms operate in the Philippines.
A congressional franchise is a special law from Congress that gives a company the legal right to run certain services, like TV, radio, or utilities, for a set time. Unlike regular permits, only Congress can grant or renew it.
Quezon Rep. Jay-Jay Suarez raised the proposal, and it is now being discussed with the Department of Information and Communications Technology. This measure supports DICT’s push for stronger oversight of social media platforms.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will still need to review the proposal. The President will decide based on whether the measure benefits the public. Lawmakers and the public have raised concerns that social media platforms don’t have enough safety checks in place, especially after recent school shooting incidents linked to harmful online content.
At this point, no specific penalties for non-compliance have been set. The proposal is still under study, but it shows stronger government interest in regulating online platforms more closely.
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If approved, the franchise requirement could change how social media companies operate in the country. For users, this may mean stricter rules on harmful content and clearer accountability from platforms.
