MANILA -- The House Tri Committee on Tuesday issued show cause orders to the Philippine offices of Facebook and TikTok after skipping its second hearing. 

The panel continued its investigation into the growing threat of disinformation and fake news online.

1-RIDER Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said the committee received a letter from international law firm White and Case on behalf of Meta, the parent company of Facebook. 

"Just for the information of the body, the committee is in receipt of a letter from counsel from the US, stating that META cannot be invited. Facebook Philippines is not authorized to receive the invitation," he said. 

READ: House mega panel to subpoena social media personalities who snubbed 'fake news' probe

Gutierrez questioned why Google Philippines was able to participate despite also being part of an international entity.

"Although Google and Alphabet are international, Google Philippines chose to appear. So I think, Mr. Chair, this would not stand po as a reason for Facebook Philippines not to attend," he said. 

"Given that they have failed to substantiate the reason for their absence, may I move, Mr. Chair, that the show cause order be issued for Facebook Philippines?" the lawmaker said. 

Gutierrez noted the absence of ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, which said it could not attend due to an engagement in Singapore.

"They've sent a letter to the committee stating that they could not appear due to an engagement in Singapore. Unfortunately, the engagement was not substantiated," he said.

The lawmaker then amended his motion to issue show cause orders to ByteDance Philippines and Facebook Philippines.

"I'd like to move that the show cause order be issued to ByteDance, Philippines or the invitee here po sa email na ito, and to Facebook, Philippines, Mr. Chair," Gutierrez said.

"As the Comm Sec just informed me now to include po in the motion the specific person. So for ByteDance Philippines, that is Ms. Peachy Paderna. And for Meta platforms or in the case of Facebook Philippines, this is Mr. Genixon David," he specified.

The House mega panel earlier approved a motion to subpoena the social media personalities who once again failed to appear in its second hearing.

Subpoenaed individuals were former Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, poltical influencers Krizette Laureta Chu, Sass Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa, Jeffrey Almendras Celiz (Eric Celiz), Dr. Richard Mata, Ethel Pineda Garcia, Joie De Vivre (Elizabeth Joi Cruz), Aaron Peña, and Mary Jean Reyes.

The vloggers had snubbed the panel's first hearing earlier this month, prompting the issuance of show-cause orders against them.