Vloggers and media influencers, including the trio who admitted spreading fake news, are expected to return to the House of Representatives on Tuesday for the resumption of the Tri-Comm inquiry.
The joint panel subpoenaed 24 vloggers and influencers to testify at the upcoming April 8 hearing.
The Tri-Comm, led by Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, yesterday said those invited include Jose “Jay” Yumang Sonza, Krizette Laureta Chu, Mark Lopez, Mary Jane Quiambao Reyes and former press secretary and vlogger lawyer Rose Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles.
Chu, Reyes, and Lopez apologized to lawmakers during the March 21 Tri-Comm hearing for their alleged misleading and unverified claims.
Aside from Sonza, the list of invited resource persons included Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie de Vivre), Dr. Ethel Pineda Garcia, Alvin Curay, Ma. Khristine Claud Curay, Epifanio Labrador, Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy), Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata), George Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed), Aeron Peña (Old School Pinoy), Ramon Gerardo B. San Luis, and Elijah San Fernando (Eli).
Committee on public accounts chairperson and Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano previously warned that the 24 individuals who were issued subpoenas could face contempt charges and detention if they fail to appear again.
The 24 subpoenaed individuals were Ernesto S. Abines Jr., Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Suzanne Batalla, Mary Catherine Binag, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Atty. Glenn Chong, Claire Eden Contreras, Lord Byron Cristobal, Jeffrey G. Cruz, Alex Destor, Ma. Florinda Espenilla-Duque, Claro Ganac, Edwin Jamora, Elmer Jugalbot, Julius Melanosi Maui, Joe Smith Medina, Alven L. Montero, Jonathan Morales, Cyrus Preglo, Vivian Zapata Rodriguez, Darwin Salceda, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, Maricar Serranoand Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan.
The panels aim to determine the accountability of some content creators and social media influencers for peddling fake news and the platforms’ response to the spread of coordinated disinformation.
Lawmakers voiced concern over reports that some vloggers used their content allegedly designed to mislead the public and attack political critics.
Representatives from the social media platforms, such as Meta (Facebook), TikTok and Google, are also expected to appear before the committee to answer questions about their content moderation systems and cooperation with government efforts against fake news.
Government officials have also been invited to attend the investigation.