House probing spread of disinformation

Roughly 40 social media personalities were invited to the first congressional probe set for Tuesday into the rampant spread of disinformation and alleged malicious content in the country, particularly targeting House lawmakers.

The hearing, which will be conducted by the House tri-committee comprising the committees on public order and safety, public information, and information and communications technology, aims to scrutinize how to combat the spread of false information in the digital age, assessing its impact on public perception and national security.

“Filipinos have the right to know the truth. We must protect them against our fellow Filipinos who spread misinformation that causes fear and division in our society,” Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, chair of the House committee on public order and safety, said in Filipino. He is set to spearhead the hearing.

The 40 invited social media personalities include Malou Tiquia, Jose Yumang Sonza, Krizette Lauretta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, MJ Quiambao Reyes, Vivian Zapata Rodriguez, Ethel Pineda, Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By), Alex Destor (Tio Moreno), Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy), Glen Chong, Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy), Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre), Claro Ganac, Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera), Jonathan Morales, Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics), Maricar Serrano and Ernesto S. Abines Jr. (Jun Abines).