Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers emphasized that the House Tri Committee’s investigation into the spread of fake news and harmful content on social media is not designed to curb freedom of speech. Speaking at the commencement of the committee’s second hearing, Barbers clarified that the hearings are meant to respect the constitutional right to free expression, not to stifle it. He stressed that the inquiry, sparked by his privilege speech and a resolution from Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., seeks to establish guidelines for managing information on social media platforms, drawing on best practices from other countries. Barbers highlighted the need for a policy framework to prevent the misuse of social media for spreading disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. He also addressed vloggers criticizing Congress, stating that while lawmakers are not bothered by such criticism, they must be cautious about posting falsehoods online, as there are laws to penalize such abuses. Antipolo City Representative Romeo Acop, who chaired the hearing in place of Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, added that the inquiry aims to ensure that any proposed legislation respects free speech and prevents censorship. The committee also plans to review existing laws like the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, enhance transparency and accountability on social media, and propose public awareness campaigns to protect digital safety and public trust. Acop mentioned that the committee is interested in Google’s framework for content creators and the Department of Justice’s stance on the duality of crime, as well as further discussions on cyber-libel as a continuing crime.
House Tri Committee Inquiry Aims to Regulate, Not Suppress, Free Speech
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