Probe sought on Facebook rules over ‘censorship’ of anti-Marcos posts

FILE: Senator Grace Poe (PNA photo)

MANILA — Senator Grace Poe on Friday sought for a probe into Facebook guidelines following reports that posts of a newspaper columnist and educator were censored for violating the site’s community standards.

This comes after the viral anti-Marcos posts of Manila Bulletin columnist Tonyo Cruz and educator Gang Badoy were removed by Facebook and later restored.

“This is a matter that we believe should be looked into in the next hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media on the proliferation of fake news, or in a separate inquiry if necessary,” Poe said in a press statement.

Poe, chair of the committee, said that she wanted to know the clear guidelines of social media organizations such as Facebook in handling the activities of their users.

She also wanted to make sure that the guidelines of these platforms do not infringe individuals’ right to freedom of speech and expression.

Reports showed that Badoy’s post contained photos of the alleged draft agreement between the government and the family of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. regarding the ill-gotten wealth of his family.

Presidential Legal Counsel Sal Panelo earlier said that he did receive a document proposing the possible grant of immunity to the Marcoses June last year. However, has not acted on the document.