Incoming press secretary says spread of misinformation due to ‘lack of discourse’

Designated Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. Contributed photo

MANILA, Philippines — The spread of misinformation is due to “lack of discourse,” the incoming press secretary of President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Tuesday, claiming that “everything should be open to debate.”

In an interview, Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles said “discourse determines what is information, misinformation or disinformation.”

Marcos Jr. appointed Cruz-Angeles as chief of the Presidential Communications Operations Office under his administration.

“Mahalaga po ang diskurso, in fact, kaya po lumalaganap ‘yung mga ganoong klase ng ideya ay dahil sa kakulangan ng diskurso. Free speech is the rule,” she said in an interview with Teleradyo.

Cruz-Angeles was then asked if there are certain matters that are indisputable and are not subject to individual interpretation and debate.

To this, she said: “There are certain mathematical formulas that are unassailable.”

“But, for example, there are perspectives to any given event or situation. Halimbawa, kaya tayo nagkakaroon ng trial sa hukuman ay dahil may dalawang panig… ang isang panig ay isinusugod y’ung guilt ng isang akusado, ‘yung kabilang side naman ay isinusugod ‘yung innocence naman ng akusado.”

“Maaari nating sabihin na ang bawat panig ay may kanya-kanyang merito. In the end, ang husgado ang magsasabi kung ano ang set of facts na bibigyang halaga at gagawan ng conclusion,” she added.

How about martial law?

During the interview, the martial law era which was reigned by Marcos Jr.’s father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was brought up – with the host pointing out that the period was well-documented and supported by investigative bodies and court rulings.

According to Amnesty International (AI), at least 107,200 people were killed, tortured, and imprisoned during the regime of Marcos Sr.

READ: Marcos’ martial law: Golden age for corruption, abuses

Cruz-Angeles was then asked if the events of martial law are facts or subject to interpretation especially when there are fears of historical revisionism under the administration of Marcos Jr.

In reply, Cruz-Angeles said: “That’s a minefield by itself.”

“We’re all part of that discourse, kasaysayan natin ang pinaguusapan. Why don’t we allow a discourse? ‘Yun ‘yung tanong.”

“We’re talking about free speech… I think that everything should always be open to debate,” she added.

READ: Fast facts on martial law

For Cruz-Angeles, “free speech does not imply that there is a need to come up with a resolution every time.”

“Sometimes, free speech is just an expression and sometimes that expression includes a question. Does it mean that we stop people from asking those questions if we think the result is something we are not ready to accept?”

“The point of the matter is to allow discourse and that’s what free speech is about,” she added.

KGA