Palace says Marcos may use ‘strong political will’ vs non-cooperative social media platforms

• Courtesy of PCO

Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may need to exercise strong political will against social media platforms that refuse to cooperate with government efforts aimed at protecting young Filipinos from harmful online content.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said stricter government action could affect some users and businesses, but stressed that restrictions may be considered against platforms that fail to comply with government rules.

“Kailangan na ring gamitin ang strong political will ng Pangulo sa mga maaaring pasaway na mga social media platforms na hindi tumutulong sa pamahalaan para sugpuin ang ganitong karahasan,” Castro said.

She acknowledged that tighter restrictions could have consequences for some users but said the government is looking at measures that would require platforms to follow rules intended to protect children.

“Maaaring maapektuhan ang ilan dahil sa paghihigpit na ito ng pamahalaan. Ngunit kailangan gawin ang pag-ban ng paggamit ng ibang apps, maliban lang kung susunod sila sa panuntunan ng pamahalaan para maprotektahan ang mga kabataan,” Castro added.

Castro said collective action is necessary and that government policies could help prevent further harm.

“Lahat ng ito ay mapagtatagumpayan natin kung sama-sama tayong kikilos. May maaari masakripisyo, may iilan maapektuhan, pero may masasagip tayong buhay dahil sa ating pagpapatupad ng polisiya at kautusan ng administrasyon,” she said.

She added that the government would seek to minimize the impact of restrictions on innocent users and businesses.

“Ngunit sisikapin ng ating pamahalaan na walang anumang inosenteng tao o negosyo na maaapektuhan ng ganoong kalaki. Isipin nating lahat ang pagkilos ng bawat isa ay makapagbibigay ng tagumpay para sa ating mga kabataan,” Castro said.