Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz (left) and Lorraine Badoy (Facebook)

Lorraine Badoy and Jeffrey "Ka Eric" Celiz--two controversial social media commenters who had a previous run-in with the House of Representatives--led the list of personalities who were slapped with subpoenas by the tri-committee (tri-comm).

The special three-way panel issued a bunch of subpoenas or strong-worded summons to social media personalities who once again chose to skip its hearing on the spread of fake news and disinformation online.

“We have received a copy of several letters coming from resource persons that [were] issued the show cause order during the Feb. 4 hearing,” Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano said during Tuesday's proceedings.

He noted that most of these influencers provided similar justifications for their absence, as they cited their petition for certiorari before the Supreme Court (SC) as their reason for their non-compliance.

Paduano read aloud the names of those who failed to attend. These included Badoy, Celiz, Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Sass Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, Dr. Richard Mata, Ethel Pineda Garcia, Joie De Vivre (Elizabeth Joi Cruz), Aaron Peña, and Mary Jean Reyes.

The subpoena against Suzanne Batalla was later put on hold after she submitted a medical certificate explaining her absence.

Paduano clarified that while none of these people had been cited for contempt, the committee must now escalate its actions if the defiance continues. 

“Mr. Chairman, may I respectfully move that we issue a subpoena ad testificandum for all those mentioned names that have officially received a copy of such show cause order?” Paduano moved.

The presiding chairman, Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, approved the motion.

Citing an invited resource person in contempt and ordering this person's detention under the House is a recourse that solons can take if they feel that such person is hiding something or is being uncooperative.

This happened to Badoy and Celiz in December 2023 when the House--through the Committee on Legislative Franchises--held a series of hearings on the alleged franchise violations of television network SMNI. 

At that time, the duo had a program on the network. The House panel accused them of spreading fake news on the program.

Fast forward to 2025, and fake news remains a major concern of legislators.

As a final directive, Paduano moved for the reissuance of unserved show cause orders. 

“For those all-unserved show cause orders coming from this committee last Feb. 4 hearing, I respectfully move that those unserved show cause orders be issued again and that the SAA (sergeant at arms) should coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to properly serve such show cause orders,” he said.

The tri-comm also granted the motion.