By Filane Mikee Cervantes
MANILA – A House leader on Monday warned resource persons that they could be cited in contempt if they attack or insult the proceedings after the chamber conducted a hearing on fake news and online disinformation.
In a news release, House Committee on Public Accounts chair and Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano cited House rules prohibiting post-hearing criticism.
“Section 11 of our internal rules, Paragraph F – we will not allow discussions or attacking, insulting this committee hearing after the suspension of this hearing because you will be in violation… we will be forced to cite you in contempt (undue interference),” Paduano said.
Paduano said the House had enforced this rule in the past, citing an instance when a block-time radio commentator from Cagayan province was held in contempt for criticizing committee findings after a hearing.
“We have already done that in my committee when a block timer from Cagayan, Bombo Radyo Cagayan, was cited in contempt because after the hearing he attack[ed] the results of the committee hearing,” he said.
The House Tri Committee, composed of the Committees on Public Information, on Public Order and Safety, and on Information and Communications Technology, has scheduled its next hearing on fake news and online disinformation on April 8, subject to possible changes.
Paduano earlier moved to subpoena 24 pro-Duterte vloggers and influencers who failed to attend the hearing despite receiving show-cause orders.
Among those named were former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Lorraine Badoy and vloggers Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz and Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot.
The others subpoenaed were Alex Distor, Alvin Mortero, Claire Eden Contreras, Claro Ganac, Cyrus Priglo, Darwin Salceda, Edwin Jamora, Elmer Jugalbot, Ernesto Abines Jr., lawyer Glen Chong, Jeffrey Cruz, Josmith Medina, Jonathan Morales, Julius Milan Maui, Kester Tan, Lord Byron Cristobal, Maria Florenda Espenilla, Maricar Serrano, Susan Batalla, Mary Catherine Binag, and Vivian Zapata Rodriguez. (PNA)
