Social media personalities apologize over online posts

Metro Manila, Philippines - Social media personalities apologized over their posts on the digital space after lawmakers grilled them during the House tri-committee hearing on Friday, March 21.

Eight social media personalities attended the inquiry for the first time.

MJ Quiambao and Krizette Chua turned emotional after lawmakers questioned their posts.

In particular, Manila Rep. Benny Abante flagged Quiambao’s post, in which she said the extrajudicial killings (EJK) linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war was a “massive hoax.”

Asked why she stated that, Quiambao explained that there are families who claimed that their slain kin was not an EJK victim.

Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano pressed Quiambao for documents of families that stated their kin was not an EJK victim, to which she replied, “none.”

“I apologize and… Sa susunod ay maghahanap na lang muna tayo ng mga under oath at hindi tayo magre-rely sa mga balita,” said Quiambao.

[Translation: I apologize and next time, we will look for documents under oath first and not rely on reports.]

Meanwhile, Chu was asked about her post about the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, in which she said the government is stupid.

“I will apologize for my bad words. I apologize for saying ‘tanga’ [stupid] in my post,” she said.

Another social media personality, Mark Lopez, was asked about his post on the West Philippine Sea.

Lawmakers zeroed in on his claim that the Philippines uses water cannons in the contested area. Lopez clarified that what he said was the country could use a water cannon in the West Philippine Sea during disputes.

The lawmakers, however, did not buy his clarification and asked for an explanation again about his post.

Lopez then said, “Sorry po, fake news po ako [I peddled fake news].”

To address the spread of disinformation, Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz said the government is trying to establish an operational system together with the Department of Justice, Department of Communications and Technology, and the Presidential Communications Office.

He also called on social media platforms to self-regulate contents released online.

“It is a national security concern that we really have to fight, not against each other, but collectively, we fight together. We fight as one because the fight against fake news should be prioritized,” Ruiz said.