VARGAS COMBATS FAKE NEWS THROUGH DIGITAL LITERACY
AMIDST rising concerns over misinformation and disinformation, Quezon City District V Rep. PM Vargas has sought the swift passage of his proposed bill integrating Digital Literacy in the Basic Education Curriculum.
“The internet has become a vast, unfiltered space where truth and falsehoods coexist. We must empower our younger generation with the tools to critically assess online content, ensuring that they are not easily misled by misinformation”, emphasizes Vargas.
House Bill No. 8831, otherwise known as the “Digital Literacy in Schools Act” seeks to institutionalize digital literacy education in public schools. The bill mandates the Department of Education to incorporate modules on fact-checking, source verification, responsible social media use, and critical online content analysis into the existing curriculum. It also proposes capacity-building programs for educators to teach digital literacy effectively.
The legislator’s strong legislative stance on misinformation and strengthening digital literacy is deeply influenced by former QC DV Representative Alfred Vargas, his older brother.
During his term, the older Vargas was a vocal advocate against fake news, having introduced legislation penalizing the deliberate spread of false information. His efforts in advancing policies that promote truth and media accountability laid the groundwork for PM Vargas’ commitment to pushing forward digital literacy education as a key safeguard against online disinformation.
The proposed measure is currently pending with the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture but Vargas remains optimistic that the 19th Congress will push the bill forward.
“With the Lower House taking a firm stand against fake news and misinformation, I am hopeful that my fellow legislators will prioritize this bill. Its passage is especially urgent as we approach the election season when a well-informed and discerning electorate is more critical than ever” adds Vargas, who is also a member of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives recently convened a Tri-Committee Meeting consisting of the Committees on Information, Communications and Technology, Public Order and Safety, and Public Information to investigate the online influencer’s proliferation of fake news. The initial hearing of the TriComm began on February 4, 2025, when only three out of about 40 invited social media personalities attended.
