House subpoenas socmed personalities who skipped fake news probe
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives tri-committee has issued a subpoena against social media vloggers and content creators who skipped the panel’s Tuesday hearing despite existing show-cause orders against them.
The tri-committee — panels on public order and safety, information and communications technology, and public information — is currently probing the online spread of disinformation and fake news, and invited 40 social media personalities.
In its last hearing, only three of the 40 social media personalities showed up — lawyer Ricky Tomotorgo, columnist and Publicus Asia founder Malou Tiquia, and vlogger Marc Gamboa.
“May I respectfully move that we issue a subpoena ad for all those names mentioned that officially received a copy of such show-cause orders,” Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano told the panel on Tuesday.
Among the names he mentioned were Sass Rogando Sasot, Krizette Lauretta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, MJ Quiambao Reyes, Ethel Pineda, Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy), Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre), Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein), Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata), Lorraine Badoy, and Jeffrey Celiz.
Paduano said the above-mentioned personalities only submitted an excuse letter, which he said was not “acceptable and valid.”
