The Supreme Court has requested that the leaders of the House of Representatives provide their comments on a petition filed by vloggers and social media influencers seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) against congressional hearings on the spread of disinformation on social media.
The petition for certiorari and prohibition, which includes a request for a TRO, was submitted by a group led by Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, former Marcos administration’s press secretary, on February 3.
The respondents named in the petition include House Speaker Martin Romualdez; and Representatives Robert Ace Barbers, Dan Fernandez, Tobias Tiangco, and Jose Aquino II.
“In a Resolution dated February 11, 2025, the Court required the respondents to comment on the petition for certiorari and prohibition (with urgent prayer for the issuance of a TRO and writ of preliminary injunction) within a non-extendible period of 15 days from notice, to be filed with the Court and served on petitioners by personal service,” Supreme Court spokesperson, Atty. Camille Ting, said.
In their petition, the vloggers and social media influencers urged the court to prevent the respondents from infringing upon their rights to free speech, expression, and press freedom.
Along with Angeles, the petitioners include Mark Anthony Lopez, Krizette Laureta Chu, and Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa.
They argued that Barbers’ privilege speeches demonstrated a “despotic” approach, claiming that he was retaliating against vloggers he labeled as “trolls.”