Palace flags possible sanctions vs fake news on Bato dela Rosa arrest
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday warned that individuals who spread false claims about the supposed arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could face sanctions from the Presidential Communications Office’s (PCO) Anti-Fake News Desk.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the appropriate action has yet to be determined and would depend on how the false information was created and disseminated.
READ: Palace: Bato Dela Rosa arrest rumor diversion from COA findings
“We spoke directly with Secretary Dave Gomez, and he has already instructed our Anti-Fake News Desk to look into everyone spreading fake news, such as the recent false claims about the alleged arrest of Sen. Bato dela Rosa,” Castro said at a briefing.
“We will also determine whether these actions were carried out with malicious intent, and we are also seeking the assistance not only of the government but also of the mainstream media,” she continued.
READ: DILG: Bato Dela Rosa not arrested nor being whisked away to ICC
Meanwhile, Castro confirmed that the President’s standing order to arrest dela Rosa remains in effect, adding that it is up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to act on the matter.
“Yes, there still is,” she said.
Unverified reports circulated Tuesday afternoon claiming that dela Rosa had been arrested in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. Both the DOJ and the DILG denied the reports.
In a Viber message to reporters on Wednesday, Castro dismissed the reports of dela Rosa’s supposed arrest as a “diversionary tactic,” saying they were intended to draw public attention away from irregularities flagged in Vice President Sara Duterte’s confidential funds.
“They’re doing this for the timing — to overshadow the COA’s revelations about Vice President Sara’s millions of pesos in confidential fund expenditures at the OVP and DepEd that had no supporting receipt,” said Castro.
“The motive is evident in the diversionary tactics being employed by Vice President Sara’s allies. Be discerning — mainstream media should still be your primary source for verified news,” she added. /das
