Pro-Duterte Vloggers Strike Back: Libel Cases Filed Against Congressman Barbers!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On March 5, 2025, a group of prominent pro-Duterte vloggers filed libel complaints against Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. The complainants, including former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Dr. Lorraine Badoy, former press secretary Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Krizette Chu, Cathy Binag, Joie De Vivre, MJ Quiambao Reyes, and Mark Anthony Lopez, symbolically showcased the 'Duterte Punch' gesture—a signature move associated with former President Rodrigo Duterte—after submitting their complaints.

This legal action stems from escalating tensions between Barbers and the vlogging community. In late 2024, Barbers, who chairs the House quad-committee (quad-comm) investigating issues related to illegal drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), became a focal point of criticism from various vloggers. These online personalities accused him and his committee of misconduct, prompting Barbers to address these allegations publicly. He dismissed the claims as "fake news" and challenged his critics to substantiate their assertions, stating, "Ang paki-usap lang natin, ay sa susunod, galingan niyo." 

In response to the continuous online attacks, Barbers sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in December 2024. He requested the NBI to identify and investigate vloggers allegedly funded by illegal entities, emphasizing that their disinformation campaigns not only tarnish public service integrity but also create societal confusion and distrust. Barbers expressed confidence that with the NBI's intervention, justice would be served, and the integrity of the quad-comm and its members would be upheld. 

By January 2025, the House of Representatives initiated an investigation into vloggers purportedly disseminating fake news to discredit the quad-comm. Barbers highlighted the necessity of establishing a regulatory framework to prevent the misuse of social media platforms for spreading misinformation. He clarified that while criticisms are acceptable, they should be grounded in truth and not constitute disinformation. 

Throughout these developments, Barbers maintained that the objective was not to suppress freedom of expression but to address the proliferation of false information on social media. He urged vloggers to exercise their freedom responsibly, cautioning that those found spreading falsehoods could face legal consequences.

The libel complaints filed by the pro-Duterte vloggers mark a significant escalation in this ongoing conflict, underscoring the complex dynamics between political figures and digital content creators in the Philippines. As this situation unfolds, it raises critical questions about the boundaries of free speech, the responsibilities of online influencers, and the role of legislation in regulating digital content.

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.