PDP-Laban calls tri-comm invitation to pro-Duterte vloggers, social media influencers harassment
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan criticized on Wednesday, Feb. 19, the decision of the House of Representatives tri-committee (tri-comm) to summon pro-Duterte vloggers and social media influencers.

In a statement on the PDP-Laban official Facebook page, the party chaired by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte called such an act of the House as a form of harassment and a violation of the right to speech and expression.
According to the 1987 Constitution, Article 3, Section 4 says “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government to redress grievances,” the PDP-Laban said.
The PDP-Laban emphasized that as a party advocating for rights enshrined in the Constitution, it denounces any direct or indirect attempt to restrict free speech. It said free speech is essential, especially in exposing corruption and government irregularities.
The erstwhile administration party urged the House to focus on urgent national issues affecting ordinary Filipinos instead of holding hearings that intimidate Duterte supporters. It said the House should spend more time and resources improving people's lives.
They criticized the House for failure to protect the resource persons’ constitutional rights, particularly during the infamous quad committee (quad-comm) hearings where they were detained if their answers did not align with what they want to hear.
“This type of harassment against ordinary Filipino must stop,” the PDP-Laban said.
Lorraine Badoy and host Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, known for their contentious social media commentary and past encounters with the House of Representatives, were recently served subpoenas by the tri-comm.
The tri-comm – panels on public order and safety, information and communications technology, and public information – is currently investigating the online spread of disinformation and fake news and has invited 40 social media influencers.
In its last hearing, only three of the 40 social media influencers attended the hearing. The tri-comm issued multiple subpoenas, which carried firm directives, to invited influencers who opted to miss another hearing on the proliferation of fake news and online disinformation.