The House Tri-Committee will hold its second hearing on February 18 to address the growing threat of disinformation and fake news circulating online.
The investigation follows the issuance of show cause orders (SCOs) to several social media personalities and vloggers who failed to appear at the initial hearing on February 4.
The House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information warned that failure to comply with the SCOs could lead to stricter legal actions, including subpoenas and contempt charges.
Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, overall chair of the Tri-Comm, emphasized the need to hold digital influencers accountable for spreading false information.
The committee also stated that additional measures may be taken against those who refuse to cooperate.
To expand the scope of the investigation, the Tri-Comm has summoned representatives from various government agencies, major social media platforms, legal experts, and media organizations.
Government officials expected to testify include Anti-Money Laundering Council Chairperson Eli Remolona Jr., Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr., Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy, and Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.
Representatives from ByteDance (TikTok), Google Philippines, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) have also been invited to explain their efforts in combating misinformation.
The committee is reviewing possible measures to strengthen digital misinformation policies, including stricter accountability for social media influencers, improved online content regulation, and intensified actions against foreign groups spreading disinformation.
Fernandez reiterated that the ongoing investigation is part of a broader effort to enhance digital governance in the country.
The upcoming hearing is expected to outline the committee’s next steps in curbing online misinformation and examining the role of digital platforms in its spread.
