Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (Rep. Acidre's Office)

House Assistant Majority Leader Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has called out pro-Duterte vloggers over their "distortion" of the notion of freedom of speech--something that was on full display during latest tri-committee (tri-comm) hearing.

“It’s both upsetting and honestly quite alarming that some influencers and online personalities today feel like they can say whatever they want—no matter how offensive, harmful, or untrue—without facing any consequences,” said Acidre.

Referring to the vloggers who attended the hearing, Acidre said: “They act as if they’re above basic decency, beyond civility, and free from the responsibilities that come with having a public voice."

Most of the vloggers and content creators who attended the particular hearing Tuesday, April 8 were either anti-administration or were supporters of the previous Duterte administration.

Attending the hearing as resource persons, these vloggers lectured the solons on the supposed ins and outs of freedom on speech while mostly glossing over the allegations of fake news against them.

This wasn't lost on Acidre, who blasted the vloggers' twisted logic.

“One of the biggest reasons for the spread of fake news and harmful content on social media is this mistaken belief that ‘freedom of speech’ means ‘you can say whatever you want, no matter what.’ That’s just not true,” he said.

“You can’t just exercise your right to free speech at the expense of someone else’s freedom to live with dignity, truth, and peace. As the saying goes, your right ends where my freedom begins,” the solon from Visayas underscored.

“We don’t allow TV, radio, or newspapers to publish or air irresponsible and harmful content. So why are we tolerating the same kind of speech on social media, where it spreads even faster and reaches even more people?” Acidre asked.

Acidre urged the establishment of clear and fair rules to reinforce responsible digital behavior, not to silence anyone but to ensure that online speech does not trample on the rights and dignity of others.

“We don’t need laws that take away our freedom. We need guidelines that protect our dignity, our truth, and our safety. We need to find a balance where people can speak their minds, but not at the cost of others’ well-being,” he said.

Acidre said the heart of the issue lies in how social media platforms are now being misused—not to connect, inform, or uplift, but to divide, attack and mislead.

“Social media was meant to connect us, to help us share stories, ideas, and important information. But right now, it’s becoming something else—something dangerous—because of the way it’s being used by some people,” he said.

“When influencers use their platform to spread lies, attack others, or stir hate, that’s not free speech. That’s abuse. And it’s hurting real people,” he pointed out.