Vloggers testify during House hearing on social media misinformation
FILE PHOTO House of Representatives | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives
MANILA, Philippines — Several online vloggers — including former Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles — have appeared before a House of Representatives hearing on misinformation and disinformation over social media, after skipping two previous proceedings.
During the hearing on Friday, the following vloggers also took their oath to tell the truth before the by the House tri-committee:
- Elizabeth Joie Cruz
- Former Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cruz-Angeles
- MJ Quiambao-Reyes
- Krizette Laureta Chu
- Dr. Richard Mata
- Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia
- Mark Anthony Lopez
- Aeron Peña
The vloggers attended after lawmakers, including tri-committee co-chairperson and Santa Rosa City Rep. Dan Fernandez, warned that social media personalities may be cited for contempt if they continue to skip the next hearing.
Fernandez last Wednesday said the tri-committee, like all other committees in the House, is allowed by Congress to summon individuals to testify during inquiries in aid of legislation — and any violation of subpoenas can result into the issuance of contempt orders.
READ: Vloggers may face contempt if they skip House hearing anew – House reps
Among the names mentioned by the tri-committee last Wednesday regarding possible contempt orders, the following did not show up to Friday’s hearing:
- Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot
- Jeffrey Almendras Celiz
- Former PCO undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa
- During the hearing, Elizabeth Joie Cruz said that Sasot was present earlier virtually, but presiding officer and Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel said joining online is exclusive for members of the House.
The tri-committee is composed of the House committee on public order and safety which is headed by Fernandez, the committee public information, and the committee on information and communication technology.
The three panels have been tasked to probe the spread of disinformation online after several resolutions were filed and different privilege speeches about the matter were delivered.
READ: 40 socmed users, platform reps invited to House fake news probe
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers was one of the lawmakers who delivered a privilege speech, after different fake rumors spread about him and the other chairpersons of the House quad committee, which was then probing illegal activities in Philippine offshore gaming operators, the illicit drug trade, and extrajudicial killings in the past administration’s drug war.
According to Barbers, there may be a need to establish a regulatory framework for social media use, just like how mainstream media organizations and legitimate news outlets adhere to a set of ethical standards.
Filipinos have long been considered to be one of the — if not the most — prevalent social media and internet users across the globe.
However, heavy social media use also means that Filipinos are susceptible to misinformation and disinformation: last May 2024, lawmakers have urged the public to exercise discretion as amid the spread of videos where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s voice is being mimicked to announce that the Philippines is getting ready for war against China.
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PCO has already disowned the video, saying that the video was made to sound like the President — stressing that Marcos has not made such an order to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
READ: Palace debunks viral deepfake video of President
Just recently, House lawmakers called out misinformation and disinformation attempts spreading on social media after former president Rodrigo Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court.
Some Duterte supporters have shared on social media posts stating that the Supreme Court received a petition containing 16 million signatures, asking that Marcos step down from office.
The Office of the SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the High Tribunal has not received any document bearing the title “Supreme Court Receives Petition on 16 Million Signatures Calling for President Marcos’ Resignation”, adding that their office has not issued such a document.
