MANILA — The Supreme Court has asked leaders of the House of Representatives to comment on the request of vloggers and social media influencers for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the congressional hearings on the proliferation of disinformation on social media.

The petition for certiorari and prohibition, with request for the issuance of a TRO, was filed by the group of Atty. Trixie  Cruz-Angeles last February 3.

Respondents 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,” said SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting.

In their petition, the vloggers and social media influencers asked the court to prevent the respondents from threatening their freedom of speech, expression and of the press.

Aside from Angeles, the petitioners include Mark Anthony Lopez, Krizette Laureta Chu, Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa.

The petitioners said that it was clear from the privilege speeches of Barbers that he was acting in a “despotic” manner for having been allegedly targeted by vloggers he tagged as “trolls”.

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