Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday welcomed the filing of criminal charges against four overseas-based vloggers accused of manipulating interviews with government officials to spread disinformation online.
The vloggers — Maricel Tondi, Jennifer dela Cruz, Jacinta Cayme Antasuda, and Cherry Lyn David Capanas — are facing multiple complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The filing of charges by the NBI is a step in the right direction in our ongoing war against disinformation,” Gatchalian said. “Fake news is divisive, destructive, and undermines our institutions.”
He emphasized that accountability must apply to all, regardless of geographic location. “Those who distort facts and damage the integrity of our government must be held accountable,” the senator added.
The NBI alleged that the vloggers — all overseas Filipino workers — spread manipulated videos misrepresenting NBI Director Jaime Santiago’s statements about possible actions against disinformation-spreading vloggers.
According to a complaint affidavit filed by NBI Intelligence Service agent Mikhail Sebrio, the vloggers were charged with several violations under the Revised Penal Code:
- Anti-Alias Law (Art. 178)
- Unlawful Use of Publication and Utterances (Art. 154)
- Intriguing Against Honor (Art. 364)
- Inciting to Sedition (Art. 142)
These were all filed in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).
Gatchalian called for swift prosecution to deter future digital deception and protect the integrity of public discourse.