Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa called for a more comprehensive investigation into fake news, urging the House of Representatives Tri-Committee (TriComm) to extend its inquiry beyond Diehard Duterte Supporter (DDS) vloggers to include pro-administration social media influencers.
During an interview on Radyo Natin Romblon, Dela Rosa questioned the intent of the ongoing investigation, suggesting that if the goal was to address fake news fairly, all vloggers, regardless of their political affiliation, should be invited. “Kasi kung interesado talaga sila na bibigyan ng solusyon ‘yung sinasabi nilang fake news or what, kung ano talaga ‘yung objective ng kanilang investigation, kung ito’y hindi panggigipit sa mga vloggers na kritikal to the administration ay dapat imbitahan nila lahat-lahat pati na ‘yung mga vloggers na favoring the administration,” Dela Rosa stated.
The TriComm recently issued subpoenas to several social media personalities who failed to attend hearings, and Dela Rosa questioned whether the hearings were genuinely aimed at improving legislation or targeting specific groups. He emphasized the need for fairness: “Lahat dapat fair. Hindi lang DDS. They don’t have to single out the DDS vloggers. Lahat dapat eh imbitahan nila para magkaalaman kung talagang ito’y in aid of legislation.”
The TriComm, which is investigating the matter, also issued show cause orders to Facebook Philippines and ByteDance Philippines, the local arm of TikTok’s parent company.
