House probes social media ‘fake news’

The House prosecution team is looking into possible action against social media accounts accused of spreading disinformation about the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon on Friday took exception to an allegedly fabricated quote attributed to defense lawyer Michael Poa, saying he would coordinate with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to look into the accounts behind the post.

The quote card purportedly carried criticism of Ridon from Poa, who promptly denied making the remarks and said he had “nothing but respect” for Ridon and the House prosecutors.

Ridon thanked Poa for setting the record straight but appeared to take particular offense at the pages that circulated the quote, saying they contributed to an “information ecosystem” the prosecutors were trying to counter.

“We will coordinate with the CICC on the matter to look further into the personalities behind this fake news because this is precisely the information ecosystem that will be under threat when there are more restrictions imposed on public information mechanisms…in this trial,” Ridon said.

Ridon said the prosecutors had traced the quote to its source and described the group as “notorious” for circulating fake quote cards involving parties in the impeachment proceedings.

The reaction came as the impeachment court considers tighter rules on public statements by parties involved in the trial.

No ruling yet

Presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said during the 12 August hearing that the court would rule on concerns over public statements, noting that “one side” had repeatedly crossed the line in media interviews.

Defense lawyer Sheila Sison had also raised concerns over a social media post by private prosecutor Armando Virgil Ligutan that she said was directed at one of her colleagues. Escudero had not issued a ruling when the trial resumed Monday.

Ridon warned that tighter restrictions could create an information vacuum that disinformation could fill.

He also praised Poa’s conduct during the proceedings, saying prosecutors had not experienced confrontations with him while he presented evidence or cross-examined witnesses.

“A very important point needs to be made: This never happened under Michael Poa actually presenting evidence,” Ridon said. “That was never a concern when Attorney Poa was actually presenting the evidence.”