By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – Two members of the House of Representatives on Monday expressed their support to the proposal of Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers for the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate vloggers and internet trolls spreading fake news against quad committee (quadcom).
In separate statements, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez and House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of public discourse and addressing organized online disinformation campaigns.
Gutierrez highlighted organized online disinformation campaigns, stressing the balance between freedom of speech and accountability.
“It seems to be a concerted effort talaga (really). While freedom of speech is protected under our constitution, it has to be tempered with responsible practice and use,” he said.
“Kasi (Because) when we’re talking about itong (these) vloggers and social media, you have questions of jurisdiction, you have questions of cyberspace, the issue of anonymity. ‘Yun po ‘yung nakakatakot po dito (That’s what is alarming here),” he added.
He also pointed out his colleagues have been receiving threats and anonymous messages.
“It should be something that no one should be subjected to,” Gutierrez noted. “Free speech is one thing, but to rely on character assassination is a totally different issue.”
Adiong echoed Gutierrez’s sentiments, emphasizing the role of facts in public discussions and the risk of disinformation in undermining democracy.
He said he has no problem with people having different opinions and positions because “that’s what democracy is all about.”
“But unfortunately, in this kind of online landscape, we’ve seen troll farms, we’ve seen bloggers, hindi ko naman nila-lahat (I’m not generalizing), who are up for grabs. Sometimes they are being used by political propaganda to malign, discredit a certain perceived enemy,” he said.
“How can you have a populace with informed decisions kung ang binibigay mo sa kanila ay puro mali (if what you are feeding them wrong), fake and misinformation? The only way for us to have a healthy space for conversation is to basically agree on facts,” he added.
Both lawmakers said they support Barbers’ proposal to protect the public space.
Barbers, the quadcom chairperson, earlier claimed that illegal drug syndicates and Philippine offshore gaming operators are funding a coordinated troll campaign to discredit its ongoing investigation. (PNA)
