Makabayan seeks probe on talks Facebook data breach helped in Duterte campaign

The House Makabayan opposition bloc will file a resolution to conduct an inquiry into speculations that President Duterte benefited from the improper sharing of data of political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said there are reports that some executives of the British political consulting firm allegedly met with key men in Duterte’s campaign team during the 2016 national elections.

“May lumabas na report na ilang mga executives na connected sa Cambridge Analytica ang nakipag-meeting din sa mga key people in the Duterte presidential campaign,” Tinio said in a media briefing, Thursday.

(There are reports that some executives connected with Cambridge Analytica met with key people in the Duterte presidential campaign).

The militant lawmaker said Facebook representatives in the Philippines should also be summoned to the House hearing.

“Palagay ko kailangan ipatawag din ng Kongreso ang Facebook dito sa Pinas para ipaliwanag ang concern ng netizens. Kailangan imbestigahan din dito ang relasyon ng Facebook at ni Duterte o ng Malacañang,” he added.

(I think we need to summon in Congress Facebook in the Philippines to explain netizen concerns. Investigation on the relationship of Facebook with Duterte or Malacanang is needed).

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zaratae said this investigation is crucial because data from Facebook could be used in politics.

“Pwedeng gamitin ito para magluklok ng mga presidenteng katulad ni (Donald) Trump at ng iba pa na ang interes ng mamamayan ay malayo sa kanila,” Zarate said.

(These can be used to put in power a president like Trump and others whose interests are far from the people’s interest.)/lb