Vloggers invited as resource persons in a congressional hearing on the spread of fake news online were cleared by the Supreme Court (SC) in a recent ruling.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the SC En Banc dismissed the petition filed by Ernesto S. Abines Jr. and others seeking to prohibit the House of Representatives from requiring them to attend legislative inquiries related to their social media posts. The ruling, dated 8 July 2025, upheld Congress’ authority to invite them.

In earlier privilege speeches, Congressman Robert Ace S. Barbers raised concerns over a group allegedly spreading misinformation and launching coordinated attacks against public officials. Calling them “paid trolls” and “malicious vloggers,” Barbers urged accountability and prompted three House Committees — Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information — to conduct a joint inquiry.

The petitioners questioned the validity of the hearings, claiming the inquiries violated their right to free speech and that the House Tri-Committee “humiliated and insulted” them. They argued that the proceedings sought to silence them and regulate their content, creating a chilling effect.

The Supreme Court disagreed, ruling that their right to free speech had not been violated. Under Article III, Section 4 of the Constitution, freedom of expression includes protection from prior restraint and subsequent punishment, but reasonable restrictions aligned with legitimate objectives can be imposed.

The Court emphasized that merely inviting vloggers as resource persons does not curtail expression. The invitation did not regulate their speech or penalize their posts, but rather sought information for potential legislation.

The SC added that Rep. Barbers’ privilege speeches did not violate the petitioners’ freedom of expression, noting that he delivered them in the performance of his duties and in response to the harmful spread of online misinformation.

Congress, the Court stressed, has broad authority to regulate matters for the common good. Addressing disinformation falls squarely within its power.

“The dangers of the proliferation of false information and narratives are not difficult to imagine, and the need to address this issue most promptly is truly imperative,” the ruling stated.