Online personalities apologize for spreading false info at House panel

Online personalities associated with former President Rodrigo Duterte apologized to a House multi-panel on Friday, March 21, after admitting they shared false information online.

Krizette Chu admitted her mistake for claiming there was a mass resignation at the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines due to Duterte's arrest, stating it was based on social media rumors without verification.

Chu also apologized for using derogatory language in a post criticizing congressmen's children and called the government 'stupid,' acknowledging she lifted her information without documents.

Blogger MJ Quiambao acknowledged that her claim about drug war victims being a hoax was based on unverified news reports and issued an apology, promising to vet her information next time.

The House tri-committee hearing, triggered by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers' privilege speeches about online attacks from pro-Duterte trolls and vloggers, criticized politically-charged posts as bordering on unverified information.

Former President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and other pro-Duterte personalities attended the hearing after initially snubbing it and challenging its constitutionality in court.