Thirty-nine content creators invited by the tri-committee that launched an investigation on disinformation didn’t appear in the House of Representatives today.
It can be recalled that the lawmakers wanted to investigate the following content creators due to their alleged connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and syndicates that were investigated by the house.
However, most of the following content creators listed below didn’t heed the investigation, and some of them cited that they were protected by free speech:
- Jose Yumang Sonza
- Krizette Lauretta Chu
- Mark Anthony Lopez
- Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot
- MJ Quiambao Reyes
- Vivian Zapata Rodriguez
- Ethel Pineda
- Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa
- Jeffrey Almendras Celiz
- Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By)
- Alex Destor (Tio Moreno)
- Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy)
- Glenn Chong
- Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy)
- Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre)
- Claro Ganac
- Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera)
- Jonathan Morales
- Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics)
- Maricar Serrano
- Ernesto 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 Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz)
- Alven 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
- Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Philippines).
Meanwhile, Malou Tiquia, Mark Louie Gamboa, and Aty. Enzo Recto attended the inquiry.
In response to the content creators’ absence, the tri-committee said that they would issue a show-cause order.
Several weeks ago, Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers insisted that there were limits to the freedom of speech.
“No less than the Supreme Court decision says that there is a limitation: as long as a statement does not have malicious intent, it is not libelous. But when they go overboard and indicate malice, then we will have a responsibility to the law. Vloggers should be enlightened on that,” said Barbers.