At least 39 online content creators and influencers did not attend Tuesday the House investigation on proliferation of fake news online, invoking freedom of speech.
Those who did not show up were:
- Jose Yumang Sonza
- Krizette Lauretta Chu
- Mark Anthony Lopez
- Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot
- MJ Quiambao Reyes
- Vivian Zapata Rodriguez
- Ethel Pineda
- Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa
- Jeffrey Almendras Celiz
- Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By)
- Alex Destor (Tio Moreno)
- Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy)
- Glenn 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 Abines Jr. (Jun Abines)
- Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles
- 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 Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz)
- Alven 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
- Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Philippines).
The three online content creators/influences who attended the House probe include:
- Malou Tiquia
- Mark Louie Gamboa and
- Atty. Enzo Recto (Atty. Rico Tomotorgo)
Some of those absent said they are out of the country.
Aside from insisting freedom of speech, the content creators who did attend the hearing questioned the legitimacy and/goals of the House probe.
Most of the absentees submitted excuse letters, but Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano argued that an excuse letter is not a free pass.
“It depends on the reason,” he said.
Paduano then made a motion to issue show cause order to the content creators who “did not state valid reason” for their absence or did not reply to the House invitation at all.
A show cause order is an issuance where the resource person has to explain in writing why he or she should not be cited in contempt for failure to show up before a House inquiry.
The committee approved Paduano’s motion.
But Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers, whose privilege speech calling out peddlers of fake news online was one of the reasons for the House inquiry, stressed that the investigation is not about curtailing freedom of speech.
“We are gathered here today not to silence voices, suppress free speech, or curtail the constitutional right to freedom of expression. Instead, we are here to draw the line between responsible discourse and the deliberate, systematic abuse of digital platforms to spread lies, destroy reputations, and manipulate public perception,” Barbers said.
“This hearing seeks to establish a regulatory framework for social media, similar to how the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) regulates television and radio broadcasters and how the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) upholds ethical standards for print media. Our goal is to develop a code of conduct for content creators, ensuring accountability and ethical responsibility in this rapidly evolving digital space,” he added.
Article 3, Section 4 of the Constitution states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” —AOL, GMA Integrated News
