Alarmed by the growing influence of troll farms and the spread of election disinformation, Rep. Margarita “Atty. Migs” Nograles-Almario of the PBA Partylist and Rep. Cheeno Miguel D. Almario of the 2nd District of Davao Oriental have filed House Bill 11178, the “Anti-Troll Farm and Election Disinformation Act” which seeks to criminalize troll farms and disinformations campaigns.

The newlywed couple aims to protect the sanctity of Philippine elections by holding perpetrators accountable and promoting truth and transparency in the democratic process.

“Troll farms are not just digital pranks—they are systematic tools designed to deceive voters and distort democracy,” said Rep. Nograles-Almario. “This bill is our commitment to ensuring that the voice of the Filipino people remains genuine and untainted by lies.”

The proposed measure seeks to:

• Criminalize troll farms and disinformation campaigns targeting political candidates during elections.

• Penalize violators with imprisonment of six to twelve years and fines ranging from ₱500,000 to ₱10 million.

• Disqualify political candidates who knowingly benefit from disinformation activities.

• Hold online platforms accountable for failure to remove disinformation, subjecting them to significant fines.

“This is about restoring trust in our democratic institutions,” said Rep. Cheeno Almario. “Technology should be a force for empowerment, not manipulation. House Bill 11178 is a proactive step to ensure that innovation strengthens, rather than weakens, our democracy.”

The bill empowers the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to work with agencies like the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Philippine National Police-Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) to monitor and investigate troll farms. It also mandates educational campaigns led by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to promote voter awareness and critical thinking online.

“Education is a long-term solution. By equipping the public with the tools to recognize and combat disinformation, we can nurture a more informed and responsible electorate,” Rep. Nograles-Almario emphasized.

Rep. Nograles-Almario said the impact of troll farms is not limited to undermining electoral integrity as they operations tarnish the Philippines’ reputation on the global stage. She stressed that the unchecked rise of disinformation networks not only harms the domestic democratic process but also paints a picture of a society vulnerable to manipulation. By addressing these issues through legislation, the Philippines can reaffirm its commitment to democratic values both at home and abroad.

The Almarios also pointed out that the spread of disinformation has a polarizing effect on society, fostering division and eroding public trust in institutions. “This is about more than just elections; this is about the fabric of our society,” Rep. Almario said. “Without trust, democracy cannot function effectively, and this bill is a step toward healing the damage caused by disinformation.”


To encourage accountability, House Bill 11178 includes provisions to protect whistleblowers who expose troll farms and disinformation campaigns. The bill recognizes the critical role of insiders in bringing these clandestine operations to light and provides mechanisms to shield them from retaliation. Transparency is central to the measure, ensuring that investigations into troll farms are conducted fairly and without political bias.

The newlywed lawmakers called on their colleagues in Congress and stakeholders across various sectors to support the measure. They emphasized that the fight against troll farms and election disinformation is a shared responsibility requiring cooperation from all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector.

“This legislation is not just about combating today’s challenges; it’s about safeguarding the future of our democracy for generations to come. We owe it to the Filipino people to ensure that their votes and voices are protected,” said Rep. Almario.