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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Prosecution pushes back on fake 'quote cards' on VP Sara trial; seeks help from DICT-led body

Prosecution pushes back on fake 'quote cards' on VP Sara trial; seeks help from DICT-led body

Published Aug 22, 2026 06:07 pm

At A Glance

  • The House panel seeks CICC help to track fake quote cards tied to VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
  • Rep. Terry Ridon cites a false statement pinned on lawyer Michael Poa, who disowns it and asks pages to remove it.
  • Ridon blames Central Luzon Media for spreading disinformation and warns of a vacuum exploited by fake news.


The House prosecution panel wants an intensified probe on the proliferation of fake "quote cards" or social media post that aim to misinform the public regarding Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial.
Specifically, the prosecutors are asking the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to help identify the personalities behind the fake quotes and other fabricated content.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon cited over the weekend the growing circulation of a statement falsely attributed to Duterte defense lawyer and spokesperson Michael Poa.
“We will coordinate with the CICC on the matter to look further into the personalities behind itong mga ganitong fake news,” Ridon said during an online press briefing.
The CICC is an inter-agency body under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) tasked with coordinating government efforts against cybercrime, including facilitating cooperation among law enforcement and other agencies in investigating cyber-related offenses.
The fabricated statement circulated on social media earlier this week was purported to be Poa’s response to Ridon over remarks concerning the conduct of Duterte’s defense team during the impeachment trial.
Poa publicly disowned the statement Tuesday, Aug. 18, and said he never made or issued it. He also asked social media pages carrying the fake quote to correct or remove it.
Ridon thanked Poa for setting the record straight. He also clarified that his criticism was directed at those responsible for the fabricated statement, not the defense spokesperson.
“He has my friendship and he has my respect on the matter,” Ridon said of Poa.
“But ‘yung wala akong respeto, ‘yung pong mga actually nag-unleash ng fake quote po ni Atty. Poa (But I have no respect for those who actually unleashed the fake quote of Atty. Poa), and I think it is something that we will look further into on who these personalities are,” he added.
Central Luzon Media
Ridon identified “Central Luzon Media” as the alleged originator of the fake quote, which he said was later amplified by Duterte supporters.
He also accused the social media page of previously circulating fake quote cards involving members of the House prosecution panel.
Ridon has previously sought an investigation into what he described as a broader disinformation network involving Central Luzon-based social media pages. He said the issue underscored the importance of keeping legitimate sources of information about the impeachment trial open to the public.
Ridon says the prosecution, defense and Senate impeachment court provide information that allows the public to follow the proceedings and understand the positions of all sides.
Restricting those channels, he warned, could leave a void that purveyors of false information could exploit.
“There will be a vacuum in information, at itong mga fake news peddlers, like Central Luzon Media, will be the ones to fill in the gaps. Hindi po talaga natin ‘yan dapat payagan at kailangan po natin talaga ‘yang habulin,” he added. (END)
(We really should not allow that and we truly need to go after it.)

Related Tags

fake news impeachment Sara Duterte Terry Ridon CICC Quote cards DICT
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