By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has threatened to charge those behind the smear campaign against him and the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
In a press briefing in San Juan City, Cayetano said he will expose people purveying fake new not only against him but those spreading hoax and false information about the country’s preparations for SEAG amidst series of reported blunders and mishandling of event.
“Yung nag-violate ng law na umabot sa libel at cyber libel, yes. It’s the obligation of course,” he said.
“I-expose ko lang sila. Pababayaan ko na ang Pilipino na buweltahan sila,” he added.
Cayetano, chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), said he will ask the entire board who they think are those should be held liable from spreading fake information on SEA Games.
“I need the Phisgoc board to approve it. But my vote sa PHISGOC is that anything that tried to smear my name or any personality, okay lang kasi personal ‘yun. But if you try to smear the name of the SEA Games or of the country, dapat naman humarap ka,” he said.
On Wednesday, Party-list Congressmen Ron Salo (Kabayan) and Mike Defensor (Anakalausugan) both agreed that those spreading misinformation against the Philippines’ hosting SEAG should be held liable amidst the series of fiascos reported in the sporting event.
In his interpellation with Salo, Defensor said purveyors of fake news on SEA Games should be investigated and be held liable under the law.
“Ano po bang criminal liability nito? It this tantamount to libel or treason?” said Defensor.
Salo in response agreed to Defensor’s remarks, saying that those spreading hoax in various social media platforms and in mainstream media about the SEAG hosting have are “criminally liable.”
“Sa batas, siguradong may criminal liability po sila sa pagpapakalt ng mali impormasyon,” said Salo.
Defensor and Salo are eyeing a House inquiry after the SEA Games against those who circulated false information against the country’s hosting of SEAG although the lapses on the part of the organizers, particularly the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) shouldn’t be downplayed also.
