House probes fake news anew, may issue subpoenas

The House tri-committee is resuming its hearing today, February 18, on the proliferation of disinformation and fake news.

This inquiry was prompted by the failure of several social media personalities and vloggers to attend the initial hearing on February 4, leading to show-cause orders being issued against them.

House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong warned that subpoenas may be issued if these vloggers again skip the hearing without a valid reason.

Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, the overall chair, clarified that the investigation's purpose is not to stifle free speech but to examine the use of social media for misleading the public, weakening institutions, or enabling foreign disinformation.

Among the expected resource persons for today's hearing are Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan Uy, and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Fernandez stressed that the hearing aims to evaluate the adequacy of existing laws in combating digital misinformation and to determine if new legislative measures are required.