Bong Go: Fake news during time of crisis meant to distract gov’t in fight vs COVID-19

Sen. Bong Go. PRIB Photo

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Saturday said that the allegations that he is claiming credit for the donations of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to health care workers fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were “fake news” meant to distract the Duterte administration.

“Alam niyo po, nabanggit na ng Pangulo, gusto nila siraan kami ng mga kalaban, and they want to distract us,” he said during the Laging Handa virtual press briefing.

(You know, like what the President said, the opposition wants to tarnish our image, and they want to distract us.)

“Gusto nila kami sirain para alam niyo ayaw po nilang tumulong kami at ayaw nila gampanan namin ang aming trabaho by spreading fake news,” Go added.

(They want to tarnish our names by spreading fake news to let you know that they don’t want us to help you.)

Previously, unverified reports circulated on social media that donations for hospitals are being manipulated to make it look like it came from Go.

Go vehemently denied such allegations.

“Alam niyo po, maraming gustong manira sa amin, nagpapakalat ng fake news, gaya ng sabi ni Pangulo, punishable by law po itong fake news ako mismo pumirma mismo dun sa Bayanihan law,” he pointed out.

(You know, a lot of them want to tarnish our names by spreading fake news, like the President said, this is punishable by law since I was one of those who signed the Bayanihan law.)

Go was referring to Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, where one provision cites that individuals or groups “creating, perpetuating, or spreading false information regarding the COVID-19 crisis on social media and other platforms, such information having no valid or beneficial effect on the population, and are clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion” will be punished.

“Ako mismo ang naging biktima ng fake news, [I myself have been a victim of fake news],” he added.

The country currently faces the COVID-19 crisis, where 3,094 individuals have been infected by the viral disease, of which 57 recovered while 144 died.

Edited by JPV