House warns content creators against contempt in fake news hearing

Rep. Joseph Stephen "Caraps" Paduano warned content creators and social media personalities invited as resource persons to a House tri-committee hearing on fake news that they may be cited in contempt and detained.

Paduano issued the ultimatum after content creators MJ Reyes and Krizette Chu apologized for their social media posts.

He cited Section 11 of the internal rules, Paragraph F, stating that attacking or insulting the committee during or after a hearing would be a violation.

Paduano noted that this measure has been done before, referencing a radio block timer from Bombo Radyo Cagayan who was cited in contempt for attacking the proceedings and its findings.

The tri-committee, composed of the House committees on public information, public order and safety, and information and communications technology, is investigating the proliferation of fake news and disinformation online.

Some vloggers invited to the hearing have yet to attend any of the sessions, making them potential candidates for a contempt citation, which can lead to an arrest order from the tri-committee, functioning as a quasi-judicial body.