House of Representatives Calls 40+ Social Media Personalities to Testify on Fake News and Disinformation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine House of Representatives is set to hold a highly anticipated hearing on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, tackling one of the most pressing issues in the digital age: fake news and disinformation.

Led by the House Tri-Committee—which includes the Committees on Public Order and Safety, Public Information, and Information and Communications Technology—the inquiry aims to examine the widespread proliferation of false information online, its implications on national security, and potential policy measures to curb its impact.

The Big Question: Who is Responsible for Fake News?

To gain deeper insights, over 40 influential social media personalities have been invited to serve as resource persons. Among them are prominent figures known for their strong online presence, particularly pro-Duterte influencers, such as:

Sass Rogando Sasot

Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa

Jeffrey Almendras Celiz

Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By)

Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera)

Other notable invitees include political analysts, legal professionals, bloggers, and content creators who have shaped online discourse in recent years. The list includes:

Malou Tiquia

Jose Yumang Sonza

Krizette Lauretta Chu

Mark Anthony Lopez

MJ Quiambao Reyes

Vivian Zapata Rodriguez

Ethel Pineda

Alex Destor (Tio Moreno)

Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy)

Glen Chong

Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy)

Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre)

Claro Ganac

Jonathan Morales

Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics)

Maricar Serrano

Ernesto S. Abines Jr. (Jun Abines)

Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles

Julius Melanosi Maui (Maui Spencer)

Darwin Salceda (Boss Dada TV)

Elmer Jugalbot (Eb Jugalbot)

Cathy Binag

MJ Mondejar

Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein)

Joe Smith Medina (Political Witch Boy)

Jeffrey G. Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz)

Alven L. Montero

Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan (Mr Realtalker)

Edwin Jamora (Reyna Elena)

Ma Florinda Espenilla-Duque (Pebbles Duque)

Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata)

Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed)

Ryan Lingo

Atty. Enzo Recto (Atty. Ricky Tomotorgo)

Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Pilipinas)

Ross Flores Del Rosario, the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, is a particularly notable inclusion. Known for his fearless and credible approach to online journalism, Del Rosario has built Wazzup Pilipinas into one of the most influential digital news platforms in the Philippines, covering major national and global issues.

Government’s Stand Against Fake News

Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, Chair of the Committee on Public Order and Safety, has been vocal about the dangers of online disinformation.

"We will not allow social media to be used to deceive our countrymen. It is time to implement stricter laws to combat fake news and disinformation," Fernandez declared.

The hearing aims to identify weaknesses in existing digital policies and introduce stronger measures to regulate misleading content. Fernandez also stressed that fake news creates fear and division among Filipinos and must be stopped before it undermines democracy.

Tech Giants Under Scrutiny

The committee has also invited representatives from major social media platforms—Google, Meta (Facebook), and ByteDance (TikTok)—to provide insights into how their platforms handle fake news and what measures they have in place to prevent the spread of disinformation.

Tech companies have been under global pressure to strengthen their fact-checking efforts and increase accountability for content creators and misinformation peddlers. Their testimony in this hearing is expected to shed light on how the Philippines can enforce stricter regulations moving forward.

A Critical Turning Point for Digital Policy

With the increasing role of social media in shaping public opinion, this historic hearing could mark a turning point for digital governance in the Philippines. The presence of influential content creators—including those who have been accused of spreading fake news—could lead to heated debates and eye-opening revelations.

Will this investigation expose who is truly responsible for fake news? Or will it be used as a platform to defend and justify the online behavior of the invited personalities?

The nation watches closely as the House of Representatives takes on the challenge of dismantling the growing culture of disinformation.

What are your thoughts on this controversial hearing? Do you think it will be effective in combating fake news? Let us know in the comments!

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.