Manila: Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III on Monday urged an end to the spread of fake news, emphasizing that misinformation hinders efforts to tackle the country's genuine issues. 'To those who sow the seeds of doubt in the minds of the people, we call upon you to stop spreading fake news because this does not help in resolving the problems faced by our country,' Dy stated during the resumption of sessions at the House of Representatives.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dy highlighted that the House remains committed to its responsibilities, driven by accountability to the Filipino public. 'We have no other aspiration except to serve and do our responsibilities in the House. We will perform our mandate and duties fairly and honestly because we believe that principle and integrity are unparalleled,' he asserted.
Dy further stressed that all actions by the House are rooted in public welfare and their constitutional duty to promote transparency and accountability in government. 'In every decision, we are guided only by our responsibility to you and our country - our oath to uphold the welfare of our people and to ensure transparency and accountability in government,' he added.
In a related development, Rep. Terry Ridon introduced House Resolution No. 980, calling for a congressional inquiry into alleged disinformation activities by Peanut Gallery Media Network (PGMN), along with an investigation into its tax compliance and potential tax evasion.
Ridon, in a media interview, expressed that the resolution aligns with Speaker Dy's anti-fake news stance but extends to scrutinize the organizational and financial operations of entities involved in systematic disinformation. 'This is in full support of the Speaker's fight against fake news - but we must go beyond content and examine the operations behind it, including how these are funded and whether they are compliant with tax laws,' Ridon mentioned.
The inquiry aims to address not only misleading content but also the business and financial actions of those responsible for such operations, including owners and affiliated entities. 'If these disinformation operations are monetized - and there are strong indications that they are - then the question is simple: are they properly declared, taxed, and regulated? Otherwise, this raises serious concerns of tax evasion,' Ridon noted.
The resolution points to viral content from PGMN allegedly showcasing a rise in electricity bills, which, upon closer inspection, contained different Customer Account Numbers (CANs), sparking concerns about intentional misrepresentation. Ridon remarked, 'For ordinary Filipino households already burdened by high electricity costs, this is not just irresponsible, it is deceptive.'
Additionally, the inquiry will assess whether these activities are part of systematic disinformation efforts intended to influence public perception of critical national issues. The resolution calls for collaboration with the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other relevant agencies to identify potential legal violations, including those related to disinformation, unlawful business practices, and tax compliance.
