HOUSE leaders are calling for a thorough investigation in the upcoming Tri-Committee (Tri Comm) hearing into alleged Chinese-backed disinformation campaigns on social media, particularly their links to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) dispute and political propaganda benefiting certain individuals in the country.
“Nabanggit po ito by one of the resource persons, I think it was PressOnePH, na there was a link between misinformation and allegedly Chinese-owned accounts, Chinese backing,” 1RIDER Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, a member of the 11-man House prosecution panel against Vice President Sara Duterte, said.
“There is allegedly a link between Chinese backing of misinformation in the West Philippine Sea and political campaigns for certain individuals in the country,” he added.
Gutierrez underscored the urgent need to address how paid social media personalities and influencers amplify these narratives, warning that foreign entities should not be allowed to buy influence and distort public perception.
“I think another issue that we have to discuss thoroughly sa Tri Comm is yung commercialization po ng bloggers. Freedom of speech, understandable po ‘yun. It’s the right of everyone,” he said.
“Pero pag binibenta mo na po ‘yung iyong salita para sa salapi. If you are selling your opinion to the highest bidder, and if that highest bidder is a foreign entity, I think there should be some limitations, there should be some punitive actions po in relation to that,” he added.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong emphasized the gravity of this disinformation network, particularly as the nation approaches the 2025 elections.
“We need to regulate this dissemination of malinformation, disinformation,” Adiong said, pointing out that propaganda-driven falsehoods erode democracy and undermine national security.
The Tri Comm of the House of Representatives, which is leading the probe, has discovered how disinformation networks actively manipulate online discourse to mislead the public.
Gutierrez lamented that fake news has become normalized, stating, “Masyadong nasanay po ‘yung tao sa fake news. Nasanay na po tayo sa hyperbole. Nasanay na po tayo sa pagbibiro. We can’t take anything seriously anymore.”
PressOne.PH, in its presentation at the last Tri Comm hearing, exposed a massive disinformation campaign fueled by Chinese-controlled social media accounts.
Their investigation uncovered over 107 fake X (formerly Twitter) accounts with Chinese names that were initially created for Spanish-speaking audiences but have now been repurposed to spread falsehoods about the WPS issue and amplify pro-Duterte propaganda.
With several social media influencers previously refusing to attend the Tri Comm hearings, Adiong warned that the House committee could soon escalate their legal actions.
“If there’s no valid reason for their absence again this time, baka umakyat na ’yan sa show-cause order and then baka i-subpoena na sila,” he said.
The refusal of these influencers to cooperate has led many to believe that they are deliberately evading accountability. Some of them have even gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the Tri Comm probe, a move that Gutierrez dismissed as a clear attempt to avoid facing the investigation.
“Wala pa nga I think justiciable action. There’s no cause of action. Pumunta na agad sa SC. Invitation pa lang po, tumakbo na sa SC,” he said.
Adiong further explained that questioning the legality of the House inquiry does not hold ground, as legislative probes in aid of legislation are fully within Congress’ powers.
“It’s part talaga ’yan ng rules po ng bawat inquiry in aid of legislation. May power po ng subpoena,” he asserted.
With mounting concerns over foreign interference in online discourse, lawmakers are now exploring stronger regulations to hold those involved accountable.
Gutierrez argued that while freedom of speech must be protected, it is not absolute, especially when false narratives endanger the country.
“We have to be accountable for our words,” he said.
Adiong agreed, emphasizing that rights come with responsibilities.
“You have the right to say… but it does not mean that you can do whatever you want with that kind of right,” he warned.
As the Tri Comm investigation resumes Tuesday, lawmakers are determined to ensure that foreign-backed disinformation does not undermine Philippine democracy, especially at a time when the country is facing serious national security threats in the WPS.
