Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Oh, how the tables have turned!
For years, the so-called "Diehard Duterte Supporters" (DDS) dominated social media, aggressively backing former President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on press freedom, online dissent, and critical journalism. They cheered on when media giants like ABS-CBN were shut down and when journalists, including Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, were harassed and convicted. They gleefully attacked ordinary Filipinos who dared to criticize their idol, branding them as "dilawans," "bayaran," or "destabilizers."
But now, when faced with congressional hearings over their role in spreading disinformation, they are suddenly waving the "freedom of speech" card to dodge accountability. The irony is deafening.
The Congressional Inquiry That Shook DDS
In an effort to combat the spread of fake news, Philippine lawmakers launched a congressional investigation into social media disinformation. Several pro-Duterte influencers and vloggers were summoned to testify about their involvement in online propaganda campaigns that shaped public perception and fueled political narratives.
However, rather than appearing and defending their content, many of these DDS influencers opted to ignore the hearings. Their refusal to cooperate did not sit well with legislators, who have now ordered them to explain their absence and justify their defiance.
According to The Philippine Star, House officials are considering legal actions against those who deliberately snubbed the proceedings. If these individuals continue to evade accountability, they could face contempt charges and possible arrest orders. (Philstar)
Running to the Supreme Court—For "Freedom of Speech"
Instead of showing up at the hearings, a group of influencers and vloggers filed a petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to stop the legislative probe. Their argument? The investigation supposedly violates their constitutional rights to free speech and expression.
These bloggers—who once argued that free speech was not absolute and celebrated the silencing of critics—now claim that their own speech is being threatened. Their petition insists that the hearings will create a "chilling effect" on free expression and could be used as a tool for political persecution. (Philstar)
A History of Hypocrisy
The sheer hypocrisy is hard to ignore. During Duterte’s reign, these same bloggers and social media operators supported and even celebrated the suppression of dissent:
ABS-CBN Shutdown – They cheered when Duterte refused to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise in 2020, calling it a victory against "oligarchs" while thousands of workers lost their jobs. (The Diplomat)
Rappler Persecution – They accused Maria Ressa and Rappler of spreading fake news and celebrated the government’s relentless legal battles against the news organization, including its eventual shutdown order. (People’s Dispatch)
Harassment of Critics – They fueled online hate campaigns, doxxed private individuals, and reported anti-Duterte social media posts for takedowns, claiming that free speech had its limits when used against the government.
Now, when they are under scrutiny, they suddenly rediscover their love for free expression.
Selective Free Speech: Only When It Benefits Them?
The fundamental question here is: Was freedom of speech only conditional when it suited their agenda?
When DDS bloggers justified government crackdowns on the press, they argued that free speech was a privilege, not a right. They promoted the idea that criticizing Duterte was equivalent to destabilizing the country. Now that their own words are under scrutiny, they conveniently flip the script and argue that free speech is absolute.
What changed? The political tide.
The Larger Implications: A Test for Philippine Democracy
This entire controversy serves as a stark reminder of the fragile state of free speech in the Philippines. If DDS bloggers get away with this selective application of constitutional rights, it sets a dangerous precedent where freedom of speech becomes a privilege of the ruling faction, rather than a right for all citizens.
As the battle against disinformation continues, one thing is clear: accountability is coming for those who weaponized social media for political gain. And no amount of last-minute "free speech" defenses can erase years of complicity in the erosion of press freedom.
In the end, you can’t claim victimhood when you once cheered for the very oppression you now fear.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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