House warns ‘socmed’ personalities of detention for skipping probe

Metro Manila, Philippines - Former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy may face detention if they continue to skip the House tri-committee probe on disinformation - commonly called fake news - in social media, a lawmaker said.

The tri-committee set its third hearing on Friday. Cruz-Angeles, Badoy, and nine other social media personalities have not attended since Day One of the hearing.

Other absent social media personalities are Aeron Peña, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Krizette Laureta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, Mary Jean Quiambao Reyes, and Richard Tesoro Mata.

“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,” panel chairperson and Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez said in a statement on Wednesday, March 19.

The tri-panel has also invited representatives from social media platforms, concerned government agencies, civil society groups, and media groups.

The inquiry aims to craft legislation to combat disinformation on the digital space.

“Disinformation is a national security issue. It 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 said.

Last month, Cruz-Angeles, Badoy, and other social media personalities filed a petition with the Supreme Court, saying that the joint panel’s actions “create a chilling effect on the exercise of constitutional freedoms.”

READ: House orders no-show social media personalities to appear in next hearing on online disinformation