Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Tuesday urged social media influencers who missed the congressional hearing, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of spreading fake news and online disinformation, to attend and engage in the discussion.
He challenged them to stop hiding behind their screens and present their claims on the proper platform.
“Huwag po kayong magtago sa mga ganyan, ang tatapang ninyo… In the advent of social media, suddenly Filipinos become political analysts. They become journalists; they become experts. They believe their wisdom. Kayo ang galing ninyong magtuligsa, eh. Dito ninyo dalhin,” Barbers said.
Sta. Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, who chairs the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, supported Barbers’ position, stating that the refusal of these social media personalities to attend the hearing only raised further questions about their credibility and intentions.
“Huwag po kayong magtago sa mga ganyan, ang tatapang ninyo,” Fernandez remarked.
“Kayo ang galing ninyong magtuligsa, eh. Dito ninyo dalhin, para ng sa ganun makagawa tayo ng isang polisiya, na hindi maabuso ito,” he added.
Barbers clarified that the hearing was not intended to stop social media influencers from exercising their freedom of speech but to create regulations ensuring accountability and the ethical use of social media.
“Eto pong hearing na ito ay hindi para kitilin o i-suppress yung freedom of speech nila. Wala ho kaming ganung layunin. Ang layunin po natin dito ay gawan ng polisiya ang paggamit ng social media platforms,” he said.
Barbers also emphasized the importance of discipline and ethical accountability in digital spaces, likening social media to traditional media platforms, which are held to regulatory standards.
“Dapat po meron tayong disiplina; meron tayong code of conduct; meron tayong ethics sa paggamit nitong social media. Hindi yung pagbukas mo ng social media, magmumura ka,” he said.
“Kaya kayo inimbita dito para makapagpahayag din kayo. Hindi po ba iyan ang tamang freedom of expression? Eh, bakit kayo nagpapadala ng mga sulat na hindi kayo pu-pwede kasi hindi kayo naniniwala sa layunin ng pagdinig na ito?” Barbers added.
Barbers also dismissed allegations that the inquiry was unconstitutional, arguing that freedom of speech should not be used as a justification for spreading disinformation or evading responsibility.
“Huwag nyo pong lokohin ang taong bayan. Wala pong curtailment o suppression ng freedom of speech dito. Kaya nga kayo inimbita dito, eh. Kaya kayo inimbita dito para makapagpahayag din kayo,” he said.