Wazzup Pilipinas!?
For years, a particular breed of social media influencers has thrived in the shadows of political chaos, masquerading as truth-tellers while sowing seeds of division, deceit, and distortion. They built their platforms on incendiary rhetoric, vilifying journalists and critics, fueling misinformation, and reinforcing echo chambers that served only those in power. But when the moment of reckoning arrived—when they were finally summoned before a joint congressional hearing on disinformation—their bravado crumbled into feeble apologies, a stark contrast to the unrelenting aggression they once projected.
Among them were Mark Lopez, Krizette Laureta Chu, and MJ Quiambao, figures who had long championed themselves as fearless warriors in the digital battlefield. Their narratives were often laced with vitriol, targeting journalists who risked their lives to expose corruption, crime, and injustice. Many of these journalists, unlike the influencers in question, were not granted the privilege of issuing a simple apology in exchange for avoiding legal consequences. Instead, they endured harassment, threats, and, in some cases, even assassination—punishments far graver than the temporary discomfort of being held in contempt.
So what does true courage look like? It is not the cowardice of folding under pressure when the specter of accountability looms. True courage is standing by one’s words, even in the face of adversity. If these influencers truly believed in their pronouncements, they would have defended them—regardless of the consequences. Instead, they cowered, choosing self-preservation over the conviction they once preached so boldly.
And yet, a new narrative is already being shaped. In the aftermath of their congressional appearance, it would not be surprising if these same individuals attempt to rewrite history—painting themselves as victims of an oppressive establishment rather than architects of a toxic, misinformed online culture. They may soon present themselves as misunderstood advocates of free speech, brushing aside the fact that they have been repeatedly fact-checked and debunked by credible institutions. They may claim moral high ground, pretending that their “apologies” signify introspection rather than strategic retreat. They may even try to weaponize their moment of reckoning, twisting it into a story of persecution rather than justice.
But let this be a warning to the public, particularly to those who once placed blind faith in these figures: you have been deceived. The very voices that rallied you against the supposed evils of mainstream media, that urged you to distrust institutions and vilify critics, have now betrayed you. Their apologies were not admissions of responsibility—they were escape routes. They did not stand for you; they abandoned you when it mattered most.
And in that moment of surrender, they proved the very point that journalists and truth-seekers have been making all along: disinformation thrives not on principle, but on convenience. The influencers who once positioned themselves as fearless warriors of truth folded the moment their own tactics backfired. They threw their followers under the bus to save themselves.
Their capitulation is not just an indictment of their personal integrity—it is a damning reflection of the ecosystem they helped create. It is a reminder that misinformation peddlers do not operate on ideals, but on manipulation. And when the weight of truth presses down upon them, their so-called courage evaporates into nothing more than a calculated retreat.
The public deserves better. They deserve truth, accountability, and, above all, justice. And justice begins with recognizing who truly stands for it—and who merely pretends to, until it is no longer convenient.
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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