Pro-Rody vloggers told: Attend fake news probe or else

Lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, former press secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and 10 vloggers face possible contempt and detention if they continue to defy the summons of the House Tri-Committee investigating their alleged role in the spread of false information online.

The ultimatum followed their second no-show at the committee hearing on 18 February despite a show-cause order. Their defiance prompted the panel to issue a subpoena.

Aside from Angeles, those who may face contempt are former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesperson Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa, Mark Anthony Lopez, former Manila Bulletin section editor Krizette Laureta Chu, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Aeron Peña, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Mary Jean Quiambao Reyes and Richard Tesoro Mata.

Their vlogs expressed support for former President Rodrigo Duterte and criticism of the current administration.

The committee is set to hold its third hearing on Friday and Committee Chairperson Representative Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa warned the social media personalities that their blatant disobedience to their summons may lead to serious consequences, such as detention.

“Congress has the authority to summon individuals to testify on matters of public interest. Ignoring lawful orders is a direct challenge to our institution and the democratic principles we protect,” Fernandez said.

Despite the vloggers’ pending petition before the Supreme Court seeking to prevent the committee from compelling them to attend subsequent investigations, Fernandez asserted that they remain steadfast in having these vloggers face them in a proper hearing.

“Disinformation, a national security issue, erodes public trust, destabilizes institutions, and manipulates democratic discourse. We cannot allow social media to become a free-for-all platform for deception and propaganda,” Fernandez stressed.

The committee launched the probe on 4 February to address the threat of disinformation and manipulative content online by examining existing policies and crafting new measures.