MANILA -- Three committees of the House of Representatives are set to hold their first joint hearing on Tuesday regarding the spread of fake news and disinformation in the country. 

At least 40 social media personalities have been invited as resource persons by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, Public Information, and Information and Communications Technology. 

The list includes social media users who engage in political discourse, news analysis, and online commentary.

Those invited are the following:

• Malou Tiquia

• Jose Yumang Sonza

• Krizette Lauretta Chu

• Mark Anthony Lopez

• Allan Troy “Sass” Rogando Sasot

• MJ Quiambao Reyes

• Vivian Zapata Rodriguez

• Ethel Pineda

• Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy-Partosa

• Jeffrey Almendras Celiz

• Lord Byron Cristobal (Banat By)

• Alex Destor (Tio Moreno)

• Aaron Peña (Old School Pinoy)

• Glen Chong

• Manuel Mata Jr. (Kokolokoy)

• Elizabeth Joie Cruz (Joie De Vivre)

• Claro Ganac

• Claire Eden Contreras (Maharlika Boldyakera)

• Jonathan Morales

• Cyrus Preglo (Optics Politics)

• Maricar Serrano

• Ernesto S. Abines Jr. (Jun Abines)

• Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles

• Julius Melanosi Maui (Maui Spencer)

• Darwin Salceda (Boss Dada TV)

• Elmer Jugalbot (Eb Jugalbot)

• Cathy Binag

• MJ Mondejar

• Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein)

• Joe Smith Medina (Political Witch Boy)

• Jeffrey G. Cruz (JCCO / JJ Cruz)

• Alven L. Montero

• Kester Ramon John Balibalos Tan (Mr Realtalker)

• Edwin Jamora (Reyna Elena)

• Ma Florinda Espenilla-Duque (Pebbles Duque)

• Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata (Dr. Richard and Erika Mata)

• Ahmed Paglinawan (Luminous by Trixie & Ahmed)

• Ryan Lingo

• Atty. Enzo Recto (Atty. Ricky Tomotorgo)

• Ross Flores Del Rosario (Wazzup Philippines)

However, the tri-comm has yet to release a list of those who confirmed their attendance to the Tuesday hearing.

Also invited are representatives from Google, Meta (Facebook), and ByteDance (TikTok), as well as officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, and the Department of Justice, who are expected to discuss regulatory challenges and enforcement mechanisms against online disinformation. 

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House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson and Sta. Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez said the hearings will examine how disinformation spreads online, its impact on public perception and national security, and the measures needed to combat it. 

The inquiry seeks to identify weaknesses in existing laws and policies governing digital platforms, and propose solutions to ensure the public has access to accurate and reliable information, according to Fernandez.

“Hindi natin hahayaang gamitin ang social media upang linlangin ang ating mga kababayan. Panahon na upang maipatupad ang mas mahigpit na batas upang labanan ang fake news at disinformation,” he said. 

House members are expected to explore measures that will strengthen platform accountability, impose penalties for repeat offenders, and improve digital literacy programs to help Filipinos critically evaluate online content.

“Nakita po natin na mayroong mga violation dito sa tinatawag po natin na freedom of expression. Ako, ang nakikita ko, hindi siya absolute… I think it's better that ito pong ating freedom of expression ay ma-check po natin if it is being abused by others who have intent and purposes na talagang durugin ‘yung ating government agencies,” Fernandez said in an interview with the media last January 27.

“Marami ng mga trolls eh... And I think we have to criminalize. Dahil mayroon po mga bills na finile sa atin, criminalizing itong troll farms. And I think it is just right. Kasi hindi po ‘yun ‘yung talagang sentimyento ng mga gumagawa eh, ng mga nagtatrabaho lamang sa troll farms eh. They are also being victimized by these people who are paying them para i-malign ang certain politician or businessman, or ‘yung mga katunggali nila sa anumang sektor ng kanilang buhay... Eventually ‘yung kasinunangalingan, nagiging katotohanan na... We have to set back again the order in this country by trying to check ito pong mga ginagawa nilang disinformation sa mga content na ginagawa nila,” he added.