Panel co-chair warns disinformation has nat’l security impact
The House of Representatives invited 40 social media personalities and other “influencers” to serve as resource persons at its first hearing to probe how fake news and disinformation are disseminated via the internet.
Scheduled tomorrow, the initial hearing will be conducted by the House committees on Public Order and Safety, Public Information, and Information and Communications Technology, which when combined are referred to as the Tri Committee (TriComm).
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, who will preside over the hearing, said the Tricomm will examine how disinformation spreads online, its impact on public perception and national security, and the measures needed to combat it.
The chairman of the committee on public order and safety underscored the need to protect Filipinos from false information intended to mislead and divide.
“The Filipino people have the right to know the truth. We have to protect our countrymen against disinformation that could sow fear and disunity,” Fernandez said.
The invited resource persons are known for their supposed influence on social media platforms, where they engage in political discourse, news analysis, and online commentary.
Representatives from Google, Meta (Facebook), and ByteDance (TikTok), as well as officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and the Department of Justice, are expected to attend the hearing and discuss regulatory challenges and enforcement mechanisms against online disinformation.
Fernandez said the inquiry seeks to identify weaknesses in existing laws and policies governing digital platforms and propose solutions to ensure public access to accurate and reliable information.
He pointed out that this is the House’s response to deliberate misinformation campaigns that exploit digital platforms for political or financial gain.
Lawmakers seek to explore measures that will strengthen platform accountability, impose penalties for repeat offenders, and improve digital literacy programs to help Filipinos critically evaluate online content.
The hearing will be live-streamed for public viewing in hopes it will spark a national conversation on responsible online discourse and the role of social media in shaping public perception, the Laguna solon said.
List of Resource Persons
Those invited are the following:
Malou Tiquia, Jose Yumang Sonza, Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa, Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Krizette Lauretta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot, MJ Quiambao Reyes, Vivian Zapata Rodriguez,
Ethel Pineda, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz, Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By), Alex Destor (Tio Moreno), Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy), Glen Chong,
Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy), Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre), Claro Ganac, Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera), Jonathan Morales,
Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics), Maricar Serrano, Ernesto S. Abines Jr. (Jun Abines), Julius Melanosi Maui (Maui Spencer), Darwin Salceda (Boss Dada TV),
Elmer Jugalbot (Eb Jugalbot), Cathy Binag, MJ Mondejar, Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein), Joe Smith Medina (Political Witch Boy),
Jeffrey G. Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz), Alven L. Montero, Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan (Mr Realtalker), Edwin Jamora (Reyna Elena), Ma Florinda Espenilla-Duque (Pebbles Duque),
Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata), Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed), Ryan Lingo, Atty. Enzo Recto (Atty. Ricky Tomotorgo) and Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Philippines).
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “House Tri Comm invites 40 influencers in hearing vs fake news”