PDP-Laban Slams Tri-Comm Hearings on Vloggers
PDP-LABAN – The political party strongly criticized the ongoing Tri-Committee (Tri-Comm) hearings investigating certain vloggers and social media influencers accused of spreading fake news.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, PDP-Laban described the hearings as a form of harassment and a violation of freedom of speech. The party argued that the committee’s actions target influencers perceived to support former President Duterte, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
“The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) strongly opposes the insistence of the House of Representatives’ Tri-Committee to summon vloggers and social media influencers. This is a clear form of harassment and an attack on free speech and expression,” the statement read.
During the hearings, only three out of the 41 invited vloggers and influencers appeared before the committee. The investigation focuses on their alleged role in spreading false information.
PDP-Laban emphasized its commitment to upholding constitutional rights, particularly freedom of speech. The party stressed that this right plays a crucial role in holding the government accountable for corruption and other irregularities.
“As a party that advocates for rights guaranteed and enshrined in the Constitution, PDP Laban decries any direct or subtle attempt to curtail or derail free speech. Now more than ever, this right is critical in demanding accountability for the massive graft and corruption and other abuses and irregularities in government,” the statement continued.
The party further urged lawmakers to prioritize addressing the needs of ordinary Filipinos instead of conducting what it described as politically motivated hearings.
“The time and resources of the House of Representatives are better spent in improving the lives of the ordinary Filipino which is getting worse everyday rather than in useless hearings that are clearly meant to intimidate and harass supporters of the former president,” PDP-Laban stated.
The party also called for an end to what it sees as unjust treatment of ordinary citizens, urging Congress to focus on more urgent national concerns such as rising prices and the worsening peace and order situation.