By MB Online Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Saturday (April 4) strongly condemned fake news and disinformation circulating on social media, saying that their perpetrators only add more problems to the country rather than provide solutions to overcome the ongoing public health crisis. Neophyte Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “Alam ninyo, nakikiusap po ako sa inyo, hindi po ito ‘yung panahon para magpakalat ng fake news. Nakakadagdag lang po ‘yan sa problema at kalbaryo ng ating mga kababayan,” Go said. (You know, I am requesting you, this is not the time to be spreading fake news. That only adds to the problems and burdens of our countrymen.) “Karamihan dyan na kritiko, puro lang kwento, walang namang kwenta.” (A lot of those are critics, just talking without any substance.) Go emphasized that criticisms are welcome as long as they are constructive and may lead to solutions or improvements, and not just for the sake of pushing one’s personal and political interests. “Welcome dapat lahat ng mga gustong tumulong. Welcome rin ang mga bumabatikos na magbigay ng kanilang rekomendasyon. Maging parte sana tayong lahat ng solusyon at hindi dumagdag sa problema,” he has said in previous statements. (Everyone who wants to help should be welcomed. Also welcome are those who criticize and give their recommendations. May you be a part of the solution and not add to the problem.) In an interview on April 4, Go expressed his dismay against those who continue to spread fake news at the time of a national health emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country. The senator called on the public to ignore such false information and focus on helping out fellow Filipinos. “’Wag ho kayong maniniwala diyan sa mga fake news,” Go said, adding “magtulungan nalang tayo para sa mga kababayan nating naghihirap ngayon.” (Don't believe in fake news. Let's just help each other to assist our countrymen who are having a hard time.) This comes after false information was spread on social media regarding a medical institution in Metro Manila being raided for personal protective equipment. Another piece of fake news also stated that donations from private donors were repacked under Go's name. Earlier, Go issued a strongly worded denial of these allegations, while the medical institution and private donors involved have already made public statements denying the same. “May mga nagdo-donate sa akin, nagbigay na po ng statement ang LT group o Lucio Tan Group. Hindi ko po alam na nilagay nila ang aking pangalan sa pagdo-donate nila. (People donate stuff to me, and the LT Group or Lucio Tan group has already issued a statement. I didn't know they put my name on the things that they donated.) READ MORE: LT Group clarifies donation of face masks to Cavite hospital "Nagpatulong lang po sila na i-identify po ‘yung mga ospital, dahil bilang chair po ng committee on health sa Senado, ay sabi ko pwede niyo pong tulungan itong mga hospital na nangangailangan, kasi hindi naman po agad-agad na natutugunan lahat ng mga humihingi, lalong-lalo na po yung mga pribadong ospital na kulang po ‘yung mga gamit,” Go said in the interview. (They just asked me, as chairperson of the Senate committee on health, for help to identify which hospitals to best give their donations to, and I said you can help those hospitals that need supplies the most, because not everyone who asks can be helped right away, especially the private hospitals that need supplies.) “Kami po ‘yung tumutulong, at ako naman po nagmamagandang loob po ako... napakarami na po naming napaabot sa napakalayong lugar tulad ng Ormoc o sa Koronadal na humingi ng tulong sa amin. Gusto ko lang po makatulong sa ating mga kababayan.” (We're the ones helping, and I'm just helping out ... we have sent so much help to far-off areas like Ormoc or Koronadal that are asking for our help. I just want to help our countrymen.) Go also said that those who propagate and share fake news only want to instigate fear among Filipinos. He mentioned that even President Duterte has also expressed the same sentiment towards false accusations and articles spreading online. “Alam ninyo, nabanggit ni Pangulong Duterte, ‘yung mga sumasali sa mga fake news, ‘yung mga sumasakay sa fake news ngayon, ‘yung gustong sirain ‘yung gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte ngayon... gusto nilang ma-agitate ang mga tao ng pagkalat ng fake news,” Go said. (You know, President Duterte has mentioned, those who create and spread fake news just want to wreck President Duterte's government... they agitate people by means of spreading fake news.) “’Yung may mga motibo po na ito hinahaluan nila ng pulitika, gusto nila siraan si Pangulong Duterte para hindi po kami makapag-trabaho ng maayos, ‘yun po ang gusto nilang gawin.” (Those who have these motives, they mix it up with politics, they want to besmirch President Duterte so we can't work well, that's what they want to do.) Go also said that under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, people found to be spreading false information may be punished under the law and must be ready to face sanctions once apprehended. “Anyway, ako bilang isa sa mga bumoto sa Bayanihan Act ay naging biktima po ako mismo, dahil pwede pong parusahan ‘yung nagpakalat ng fake news. Harapin niyo po ‘yan, mga nagpapakalat ng fake news, harapin niyo po kung saka-sakali pong makasuhan po kayo,” Go emphasized. (As one of those who voted for the Bayanihan Act, I have become a victim myself, and those who spread fake news can be punished. So to those spreading fake news, face it just in case you will be charged.) “Kami, wala na po kaming hihilingin sa tao, binigay na po ng Panginoon lahat sa isang mayor, probinsyanong mayor na ginawang Presidente. Ako po isang staff lang, probinsyano rin na ginawang senador. Kaya ibabalik namin sa inyo ‘yung serbisyong para sa inyo.” (We're not asking for anything from the people, because God has given everything to a mayor, a mayor from the provinces whom He made President. I'm just a staffer, also a man from the provinces who was made a senator. So we will return to you the service that is due to you.)