House resumes fake news hearing

The House tri-committee is set to hold another hearing on Tuesday into the reported rampant spread of disinformation by vloggers and social media influencers.

The panel warned that disobeying the congressional summons could prompt stronger legal action, including subpoenas and contempt charges.

“We are not suppressing free speech. We are investigating whether social media is being used to mislead the public, undermine institutions, or facilitate foreign disinformation,” said Sta. Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez, the committee’s overall chair.

The vloggers and social media personalities subjected to show cause orders—the majority of whom are supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte—include former President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, ex-spokesperson for the government’s anti-communist task force Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, lawyer Glenn Chong, and Krizette Laureta Chu.

Others include Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Mary Catherine Binag, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Elmer Jugalbot, Ernesto Abines Jr., Ethel Pineda Garcia, George Ahmed Paglinawan, Mary Jean Quiambao Reyes, Richard Tesoro Mata, Suzanne Batalla, Vivian Zapata Rodriguez, Aeron Pena, Alex Destor, Alven L. Montero, Claire Eden Contreras, Claro Ganac, Darwin Salceda, Jeffrey G. Cruz, Jonathan Morales, Julius Melanosi Maui, Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan and Manuel Mata Jr.

The congressional inquiry aims to identify loopholes in existing laws and policies governing digital platforms that enable disinformation peddlers, cyberbullying, and harmful and false content.

The panel is weighing potential policy responses to digital misinformation, including stricter accountability measures for social media influencers, improved regulation of online content, and stronger enforcement against foreign-backed disinformation campaigns.

Fernandez argued that the inquiry is part of a broader effort to strengthen digital governance, dismissing accusations that it is aimed at curtailing free speech, especially of those critical of the government.

“We have to determine whether existing laws are enough to address this growing problem or if new measures are necessary,” he said.

The hearing is expected to set the direction for future legislative actions aimed at tackling the spread of misleading content online and the role of digital platforms in its proliferation.

Government officials expected to testify include Anti-Money Laundering Council Chairperson Eli Remolona Jr., Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy, and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Executives from ByteDance (TikTok), Google Philippines, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) have also been invited to provide insight into their handling of misinformation.