Show cause orders issued vs. ex-press secretary, socmed figures

HEARING. The Tri Comm, composed of the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, on Information and Communications Technology, and on Public Information, starts its hearing on remedial regulations that seek to address the proliferation of fake news and misinformation on social media on Tuesday (Feb. 4, 2025). The Tri Comm issued show cause orders against former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and several social media personalities for failing to attend the hearing. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – A multi-panel at the House of Representatives on Tuesday issued show cause orders against former press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles and several social media personalities for failing to attend a hearing on the spread of fake news and disinformation online.

Only three out of around 40 invited social media figures attended Tuesday’s hearing conducted by the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, on Information and Communications Technology, and on Public Information on potential regulatory measures to curb misinformation on social media platforms.

Lawmakers moved to issue show cause orders against those absentees with invalid excuses to compel them to appear at the next hearing.

Cruz-Angeles, a lawyer and former chief of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, outright rejected the committee invitation, calling the inquiry unconstitutional.

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano criticized Cruz-Angeles’ response, saying it blatantly disregards Congress’ authority.

Paduano moved to issue a show cause order against Cruz-Angeles and refer her case to the House legal department for a potential disbarment complaint.

“She is an officer of the court… and she should respect the constitutional duty of Congress,” Paduano said. “I respectfully move that we will consult the legal department of this House for a possible disbarment case against Atty. Trixie Angeles.”

Both motions were approved without objection.

Other social media figures served with show cause orders include Elizabeth Joie Cruz, known online as Joie De Vivre, Krizette Laureta Chu, Mark Anthony Lopez, Jun Abines Jr., Dr. Richard Tesoro Mata, Aaron Peña, Suzanne Batalla (IamShanwein), and Ethel Pineda.

The panel members took particular issue with Lopez, who sent a detailed letter rejecting the committee’s authority.

Chu, on the other hand, submitted a four-page explanation refusing to attend the hearing but did not cite health or travel concerns.

Peña, meanwhile, denied links to offshore gaming operators or illegal activities but refused to appear, leading to another show cause order.

Batalla and Pineda likewise did not provide valid justifications for their absence, according to the lawmakers.