Windows26: Midweek Digest: House probe into 'fake news' and more

Hi, ! The fake news inquiry conducted by the House last Friday struck a nerve, particularly among bloggers and vloggers. In a seven-hour hearing in the lower chamber, three vloggers found themselves having to apologize for their "sensationalized, baseless" claims online.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

UPDATE PREFERENCES

Hi, reader!

The fake news inquiry conducted by the House last Friday struck a nerve, particularly among bloggers and vloggers.

In a seven-hour hearing in the lower chamber, three vloggers found themselves having to apologize for their "sensationalized, baseless" claims online.

You can read about that in our report here: "Vloggers apologize in House under intense grilling in 'fake news' probe."

Most Filipinos whose nerves are constantly getting frayed by the fake news peddled freely online probably cheered at that development as they see the issue as a serious problem.

Some of them even see a need to regulate social media — Malacañang, for one, urges a "whole-of-nation approach" to curb the problem.

WATCH

House probes spread of fake news and disinformation

WATCH HERE

But the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) issued a caveat against being overzealous in fighting fake news. In a statement issued on Monday, March 24, the CHR said:

"While there are limitations to freedom of expression, government-based sanctions that look into the truth or falsity of a statement are a form of content-based restraint that may be considered a prior restraint on free speech prohibited by Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution."

So the CHR advised law enforcers to "remain circumspect in enforcing criminal laws that have a direct impact on the enjoyment of the freedom of expression by every individual."

We also have a story about that here: "Respect rights in 'fake news' fight, gov't urged."

The concern about fake news, rekindled by the House hearing, is timely because, as it happens, we are facing several upcoming events that have jolted fake news peddlers into action:

The May 12 elections
The pending ICC trial of former President Rodrigo Duterte
The pending Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

We have regularly updated pages for the first two events:

INQUIRER.net's 2025 Philippine Elections Coverage
Highlights: Rodrigo Duterte's ICC pre-trial

For the pending impeachment trial of the vice president, here are three of the latest stories:

As always, we'll do our best to bring you real news about these events.

But as we've been warning readers now and again, some fake news peddlers — whether as a prank or as propaganda — have been making it appear that others — not them — are the source of these click-bait yarns.

INQUIRER.net, among others, has been a frequent victim of this sneaky tactic. That's why we regularly issue a disclaimer on social media, such as this:

So be alert for any such scams.

Meanwhile, here are some of the top series we have for you today.

Duterte kin press habeas petition, cite OSG recusal. The three children of former President Rodrigo Duterte are pressing the Supreme Court to grant their habeas corpus petitions for his immediate release from the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC), with Veronica Duterte citing the Office of the Solicitor General's (OSG) recusal as proof that his "abduction" and transfer to The Hague were "illegal and indefensible." BY JANE BAUTISTA

AFP on possible arrival of second Typhon: The more the merrier. Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday welcomed the possible deployment of another US-made mid-range capability (MRC) "Typhon" missile system to the Philippines. BY NESTOR CORRALES

Dela Rosa reports PNP escorts' removal. Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Tuesday said the Philippine National Police had "recalled'' the two officers who served as his security detail whenever he was in Davao City, days after the arrest of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte on orders from the International Criminal Court (ICC). BY TINA SANTOS, NESTOR CORRALES, AND JULIE AURELIO

Paolo Duterte tells House he'll go to 16 countries in 2 months. The Office of the House Secretary General on Tuesday confirmed that Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte, eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, sought clearance to travel to at least 16 countries in under two months. BY KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING

Refusal to extradite Teves can affect Timor-Leste's bid to join Asean. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Tuesday that Timor-Leste's bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) could face complications after its judiciary refused to grant the Philippine government's request to extradite expelled lawmaker Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr., who is wanted in Manila for multiple cases of murder and frustrated murder. BY JANE BAUTISTA

LRT 1 extends operations ahead of April 2 fare hike. After the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3), the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) is also extending its operating hours on weekdays starting March 26 to service more commuters at night. BY TYRONE JASPER PIAD

EDITORIAL: Pragmatic ways for PUV plan. The government must engage with the affected sectors with the clear and sincere intention to address the grievances and push for the early implementation of the vital program. It should not allow the modernization program to be derailed by certain sectors that do not want the change to take off in the first place. BY THE PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER

Other must-reads:

Thanks for reading our Midweek Digest, reader. For suggestions and feedback, please reach out to us at newsletter@inquirer.net.

Sincerely,

Alexander T. Magno

March 26, 2025

Alex Magno is the current News Channel editor of INQUIRER.net. He oversees the daily operations of the News Desk, ensuring the timely and consistent delivery of news stories to our valued readers.

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