SEVERAL pro-Duterte vloggers and influencers attended Friday’s House Tri-Committee hearing after the Supreme Court (SC) declined to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) that would have halted the ongoing congressional investigation into fake news and online disinformation.
Krizette Laureta Chu, who introduced herself as Manila Bulletin editor, Mary Jane Quiambao Reyes and Mark Lopez found themselves apologizing to lawmakers during Friday’s Tri-Comm hearing that was attended by pro-Duterte influencers.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante, chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, reprimanded pro-Duterte influencer Chu over her social media posts that contained misleading and unverified claims.
Abante demanded an apology after Chu admitted to basing her statements on news reports without documents to support them.
“Kaya tinatanong kita kung saan mo kinuha. Sinabi mo sa news mo lang pala kinuha, eh wala kang documents! You cannot even tell me if you’re telling facts or truths!” Abante told Chu.
“Ibig mong sabihin, you’re going to base your statement – tanga ang gobyerno – sa news na nabasa mo?” he added.
Chu, in response, initially attempted to defend her post as an expression of her opinion but ultimately conceded. “I will apologize, Mr. Chair, for my bad words. I apologize for saying ‘tanga’ in my post,” she said.
Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Stephen Joseph “Caraps” Paduano also grilled vlogger Quiambao-Reyes over her post claiming that extrajudicial killings (EJKs) were a hoax.
When asked if she had documents or proof to support her claim, Quiambao admitted she had none.
“Sandali! Yes or no? Remember I am just asking you if you have the document or not under oath?” Paduano pressed.
“Of the family who reported? …None sir, like I said ahh…” she responded.
“So None? You don’t have?” Paduano continued.
“Ok sir Next time sir. Next time po bago tayo magsulat ng ganun, kailangan kumuha muna ng mga dokumento under oath at hindi tayo basta magba-base sa sinasabi ng mainstream media,” Quiambao said.
Vlogger Lopez, another pro-Duterte influencer, also found himself in hot water during the hearing.
When pressed about his own social media posts concerning the South China Sea, Lopez admitted to spreading falsehoods.
“Sorry po, fake news po ako,” he admitted before the panel.
Meanwhile, House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairman Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list also confronted Chu over a recent Facebook post where she claimed that many police officers had resigned following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Acidre, a House Assistant Majority Leader, questioned her source, to which Chu admitted she based her claim on unverified TikTok posts.
“In other words, it was just your impression. In short, it was a rumor, it was a lie which you propagated,” Acidre pointed out.
Chu insisted she used the word “daw” to indicate uncertainty.
But Acidre countered that legitimate journalists do not operate on “general impressions” and are duty-bound to verify their information before publishing.
“Are you willing to apologize for your wrong impression?” Acidre asked.
Chu refused, arguing, “No, because it was a good post if you read it in its entirety.”
Acidre, however, warned that spreading unverified information, especially about law enforcement and national security, has serious consequences.
“I think we are treading on dangerous ground here because this matter involves national security. There should be legal consequences,” Acidre said.
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