“YOUR right ends where my freedom begins.”

Ito ang sinabi ni House Assistant Majority Leader at Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre kasabay ng kanyang panawagan na parusahan ang mga social media influencer na nagtatago sa likod ng freedom of speech sa ginagawang pagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan, galit at nakakasirang impormasyon online.

Ginawa ni Acidre ang pahayag kasunod ng isinagawang pagdinig ng House tri-committee kaugnay ng pagkalat ng maling impormasyon at mapanirang gawain online, kung saan ipinahayag niya ang pag-aalala tungkol sa tinatawag niyang “dangerous distortion” sa kalayaan sa pagpapahayag ng ilang influencers at mga content creator.

“It’s both upsetting and, honestly, quite alarming that some influencers and online personalities today feel like they can say whatever they want—no matter how offensive, harmful or untrue—without facing any consequences,” ayon kay Acidre, chair ng House committee on overseas workers affairs.

“They act as if they’re above basic decency, beyond civility and free from the responsibilities that come with having a public voice,” ayon pa sa kongresista.

Ipinunto niya na bagaman ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag ay isang karapatang konstitusyonal, hindi ito nangangahulugang wala itong limitasyon.

“You can’t just exercise your right to free speech at the expense of someone else’s freedom to live with dignity, truth and peace. As the saying goes, your right ends where my freedom begins,” giit ni Acidre.

Ipinagtataka ng kongresista kung bakit itinuturing ng lipunan na may ethical standards ang tradional media, habang pinapayagan naman ang mga digital content creator na mag-operate nang walang pananagutan.

“We don’t allow TV, radio or newspapers to publish or air irresponsible and harmful content. So why are we tolerating the same kind of speech on social media, where it spreads even faster and reaches even more people?” tanong ng mambabatas.

Ayon kay Acidre, ang pangunahing isyu ay nasa maling paggamit ng mga social media platform—hindi para mag-ugnay, magbigay ng kaalaman o mag-angat, kundi para maghati, mang-atake at maglinlang.

“Social media was meant to connect us, to help us share stories, ideas and important information. But right now, it’s becoming something else—something dangerous—because of the way it’s being used by some people,” babala pa ng kongresista.

“When influencers use their platform to spread lies, attack others or stir hate, that’s not free speech. That’s abuse. And it’s hurting real people,” aniya.

Sa pagdinig ng tri-comm, iginiit ng mga mambabatas at mga stakeholder na maraming social media users—lalo na ang may malalaking tagasubaybay—ang nakakabuo ng kaisipang ang kalayaan sa pagpapahayag ay nagbibigay sa kanila ng lisensyang magsalita nang walang pananagutan.

Binigyang-diin ni Acidre na ang maling interpretasyong ito ay kailangang maitama sa lalong madaling panahon.

“One of the biggest reasons for the spread of fake news and harmful content on social media is this mistaken belief that ‘freedom of speech’ means ‘you can say whatever you want, no matter what.’ That’s just not true,” saad niya.

“And if we don’t correct that, we’ll keep seeing lies and hate spread like wildfire online,” babala ng mambabatas.

Nanawagan si Acidre sa pagtatakda ng malinaw at makatarungang mga patakaran upang itaguyod ang responsableng pag-uugali sa digital world—hindi upang patahimikin ang sinuman, kundi upang matiyak na ang paggamit ng social media ay hindi lumalabag sa karapatan at dignidad ng iba.

“We don’t need laws that take away our freedom. We need guidelines that protect our dignity, our truth and our safety. We need to find a balance where people can speak their minds, but not at the cost of others’ well-being,” giit nito.

Hinimok din ng party-list lawmaker ang mga social media platform na itigil ang hindi patas na pagpapatupad ng kanilang mga community standards.

“If you spread harmful content, you should answer for it. And the social media platforms? They can’t keep turning a blind eye,” ayon kay Acidre.

“They have rules. They set community standards. They should be the first ones to enforce them—not only when it’s convenient, but all the time and for everyone,” dagdag pa niya.

Nababahala si Acidre sa mas malalawak na epekto sa lipunan kung patuloy na pahihintulutan ng bansa ang paglaganap ng disinformation at digital toxicity.

“We’re letting social media—something that should bring us together—turn into a tool that tears us apart. We’re letting lies overpower truth. We’re letting bullying drown out fairness. We’re letting chaos replace decency,” ayon pa sa kongresista.

Iginiit ni Acidre na ang isyu ay hindi lamang isang digital dilemma kundi isyu ng moralidad at pagiging responsable bilang mamamayan.

“This isn’t about taking away voices. It’s about making sure that when we use our voices, we’re also thinking about the kind of world we’re helping to shape,” ayon pa kay Acidre.

“A world where people are heard—but also respected. Where we can disagree—but not destroy. Where freedom comes with responsibility—and where every person’s dignity is protected,” giit pa ng solon.

“Because in the end, what’s at stake is not just what’s said online—it’s the kind of society we’re building offline, too,” ayon pa kay Acidre.