MANILA -- Senate President Vicente Sotto III has filed a bill that would penalize the spread of false information in websites and social media platforms.

Senate Bill No. 9 seeks to impose penalties of up to P2 million or imprisonment for violators.

"Filipinos have fallen prey to believing most of the click-baits, made up quotes attributed to prominent figures and digitally altered photos. This bill seeks to protect the public from the adverse effects of false and deceiving content online," Sotto said in a statement.

Sotto also said the bill seeks to promote responsible use of the internet.

Under the bill, anyone found guilty of knowingly creating or publishing false information shall be punished with imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than P300,000, or both.

Persons found guilty of using a fictitious online acount or website in creating or publishing false information, meanwhile, may face imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than P500,000, or both.

Those who offered their services or expertise to create or publish false information may also be imprisoned and/or fined, or both.

Senate Bill No. 9 is one of Sotto's priority bills.