House orders arrest of 4 vloggers for probe snub

Meta backs congressional initiatives vs disinformation

- By JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

The House tri-committee has cited in contempt and ordered the arrest of four social media personalities for snubbing the subpoena issued to them.

Meanwhile, tech giant Meta, attending yesterday's tri-comm hearing, pledged to support Congress' crackdown on fake news online.

On motion by Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano, those cited in contempt for violation of Section 11, Paragraph A of the internal rules of the tri-comm were Allan Troy "Sass" Rogando Sasot, Mark Anthony Lopez, Lorraine Marie Tablang Badoy Partosa and Jeffrey Almendras Celiz.

Sasot, Lopez and Badoy were absent despite multiple summons and subpoenas issued for them to attend the hearing. Lopez, who attended a previous hearing, was cited for issuing public statements attacking the committee.

If arrested, Sasot, Badoy and Celiz will be detained at the detention facility of the House until the committee hearing is terminated, while Lopez will be detained for 10 days.

The committee adopted the motion without objection.

Paduano earlier cited Lopez for violating internal rules on undue interference in congressional inquiries.

"Mr. Chairman, with this blog made by Mr. Mark Lopez, this is in violation of once again section 11 paragraph F of our internal rules, undue interference during the proceedings or committee investigation," he said.

Paduano quoted portions of Lopez's blog, saying it sought to discredit the panel.

"It was blatantly used that there was a concerted effort to humiliate us and bring us down on our knees," he read. "Even mainstream media are gleefully celebrating and pouncing on our forced breakdown and takedown in tri-comm hearing," he read.

Paduano said Lopez had been warned during the previous session.

"I already warned all those resource persons that be cautious not to issue statements maligning, attacking the ongoing investigation," Paduano said.