PBA party-list Rep. Margarita “Migs” Nograles. PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK PAGE
MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader Margarita “Migs” Nograles on Sunday urged the public to “be careful when consuming information online,” citing a resurgence of internet influencers and troll farms peddling fake news on social media.
The PBA party-list representative said in a statement that several lawmakers, including herself, have become subjects of fake news online for being vocal in scrutinizing the use of funds by various government offices.
“Troll farms seem to be targeting those who have raised concerns over the alleged mismanagement of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) under Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as those who helped the quad committee (Quad Comm) ferret out the truth on Philippine offshore and gaming operators (Pogos), EJKs [extrajudicial killings] and illegal drug syndicates,” Nograles stated.
Other lawmakers targeted by misinformation include Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo, and Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante.
The strategy involves influencers spreading misinformation and disinformation, while trolls engage in these posts to increase their visibility on social media, the PBA party list representative explained.
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Nograles, in her statement, believes this is a “coordinated effort to discredit those who are holding public officials accountable.”
“Matagal na akong biktima ng fake news at patuloy na binibiktima. Nakakalungkot na ang mga opisyal na nagtatanong at tumutulong sa ating bayan ay ginagawan ng kwento at sinisiraan. Lahat ng ito ay pawang fake news,” Nograles expressed.
(I have been a victim of fake news for a long time and continue to be targeted. It is disheartening that officials who question and assist our community are being made the subject of false stories and are being defamed. All of this is purely fake news.)
The quad comm and the House committee on good government and public accountability are currently investigating alleged anomalies related to Pogos, EJKs, illegal drugs, as well as issues hounding the OVP and DepEd.
Hence, Nograles emphasized that officials under scrutiny should respond in appropriate venues rather than turning to social media.
“If there are questions about irregularities and mismanagement of public funds, they should be answered in the proper forum, not on social media. We should not fall prey to propaganda and false information,” the female representative stated.
Nograles continues to urge all sectors to work collectively in combating the spread of false information in the country. She also encouraged the public to avoid sharing unverified content online.
“The spread of fake news undermines our democracy. We must unite to fight it and protect our institutions,” she stated.