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The House Tri Committee (Tri Comm) is set to hold its second hearing on Tuesday, February 18, as it goes deep into its legislative inquiry to address the serious threats of online mass disinformation or fake news on our democracy.
The probe follows the issuance of show-cause orders (SCOs) to several social media personalities and vloggers who failed to appear in the initial hearing on February 4. Lawmakers have warned that non-compliance could lead to subpoenas and contempt charges.
The joint inquiry, led by the committees on public order and safety, information and communications technology, and public information, seeks to hold digital influencers accountable for their role in spreading misleading content.
“We are not suppressing free speech. We are investigating whether social media is being used to mislead the public, undermine institutions, or facilitate foreign disinformation,” said Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, the overall chairman of the Tri Comm.
Among those summoned to testify are lawyer Glenn Chong, former Presidential Communications Operations Office chief-turned-social media commentator Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Krizette Laureta Chu, Allan Troy ‘Sass’ Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, and Lorraine Badoy-Partosa.
Others on the list include Jeffrey Almendras Çeliz, Mary Catherine Binag, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Elmer Jugalbot, and several more online personalities. Some, including Cruz-Angeles, Cruz, Lopez, Batalla, Pineda, and Chu, have responded via email.
The Tri-Comm indicated that further action may be taken against those who fail to comply.
To broaden the scope of the probe, the committee also summoned key government officials, social media executives, as well as legal and media experts.
Expected to appear are Anti-Money Laundering Council chairperson Eli Remolona Jr., Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy, and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Executives from major platforms, including ByteDance (TikTok), Google Philippines, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram), have also been invited to shed light on their efforts to combat misinformation.
Legal and media experts, including UP College of Law Professor Joan de Venecia-Fabul and VERA Files President Ellen Tordesillas, will present insights on possible regulatory measures. Representatives from the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other media entities are also expected to weigh in.
The Tri-Comm is considering potential policy responses to digital misinformation, including stricter accountability measures for influencers, improved content regulation, and stronger enforcement against foreign-backed disinformation campaigns.
Fernandez emphasized that the inquiry aims to strengthen digital governance. “We have to determine whether existing laws are enough to address this growing problem or if new measures are necessary,” he said.
The outcome of the February 18 hearing is expected to shape future legislative efforts to curb the spread of misleading content online and improve the regulation of digital platforms. — Rio N. Araja
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