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PH House to form special committee targeting vloggers funded by illegal POGOs

The Philippines House of Representatives will establish a special committee to investigate vloggers allegedly funded by illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to spread disinformation against the Quad Committee, according to Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers.

The Quad Committee in the Philippines is a legislative body formed by the House of Representatives to conduct comprehensive investigations into various issues, particularly focusing on the connections between POGOs, illegal drug activities, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Barbers, who leads the Quad Committee, stated that banned POGOs still operating in the Philippines are suspected of financially supporting these vloggers. He emphasized the need for a regulatory framework to ensure that vloggers do not misuse their influence.

The accusation was reported by the Manila Standard. Barbers claimed that the disinformation campaign was orchestrated by well-funded groups with the aim of discrediting him and other members of the Quad Committee. He speculated that illegal POGO operators and drug lords, who are impacted by the committee’s investigations, may be behind these efforts.

However, Barbers did not provide specific details regarding the alleged “fake news.”

Barbers noted that a Tri-Committee will be formed to conduct the investigation and draft legislation aimed at preventing vloggers and influencers from disseminating misinformation. While criticisms are welcome and protected under the Constitution, he stressed that they must remain grounded in matters related to official duties and responsibilities.

In November, Barbers requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to identify and take action against unnamed vloggers accused of maligning and spreading falsehoods about the Quad Committee. He described the disinformation campaign as a deliberate effort to create chaos, confusion, and fear, while undermining the integrity of public service.

Barbers also submitted a formal letter to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, highlighting the organized nature of the disinformation campaign. He requested assistance in identifying the individuals or groups responsible for producing and posting misleading vlogs, as well as securing digital evidence such as metadata, upload details, and activity logs.

Viviana Chan
Viviana Chanhttps://agbrief.com/
Viviana Chan is an editor, interpreter, and journalist. With over a decade of experience, she writes in English, Chinese, and Portuguese. Viviana started her career in Macau-based newspapers, where she became passionate about the region's social, financial, and cultural development. Her writing focuses on the economy, emerging industries, gaming development, political affairs, and cross cultural-exchange in the business and cultural domains. She is avid for news and eager to discover and cover stories that generate public relevance.

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