MANILA, May 28 -- Senator-elect Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday called for stronger safeguards against fake news, including provisions mandating the immediate removal of false and fabricated content from online platforms.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Sotto said while he supports press freedom and free expression, there must be accountability for those who knowingly spread falsehoods.

"We must preserve freedom of the press, expression, and speech, but that doesn't give anyone the license to invent fake news," Sotto said.

"If it's inaccurate because you misunderstood, fine. That's freedom of speech, even the freedom to be wrong. But if you fabricate stories, say someone died or someone killed another, and it turns out to b...