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Chua: Fake News Clouds Public View Of VP Sara Impeachment Case
Photo credit: Congress PH
Manila Rep. Joel Chua on Saturday warned that the spread of fake news and coordinated disinformation online is distorting public understanding of key national issues, including the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview on ONE News’ “Politika All The Way,” Chua said large amounts of money are allegedly being poured into online networks to influence public opinion and promote what he described as “blind followers.”
“Pero ngayon sa nakikita ko, could you imagine they're spending hundreds of millions sa mga fake news, sa mga trolls. Saan nanggagaling itong mga pera? Ang daming pera para lang manira,” Chua said.
“Ngayon nawala na yung mga legitimate ng mga news. Mas pinanonood na puro mga fake news. Kaya kung minsan yung pag-iisip natin, fake na rin. Hindi mo na rin alam kung ano yung totoo,” he added.
Chua, a member of the House Committee on Justice and chair of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said disinformation has made it harder for the public to distinguish between verified reporting and manipulated content circulating on social media.
“Kaya hindi dapat lahat na nababasa natin paniwalaan na natin agad. Kailangan maging mapanuri tayo. At tingnan din natin kung anong totoo,” he said.
He made the remarks while discussing public reaction to evidence presented in the House Committee on Justice hearings on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
According to Chua, the hearings have already shifted public perception in some areas, including among constituents who initially opposed the impeachment.
“May isa kong congressman na nakausap. Hindi ko na nasabihin kung saan lugar. Sabi niya sa akin, before, dun sa first impeachment, kasi alam natin, very popular ng mga Duterte, dami daw nagalit sa kanya, na constituents niya. Talagang very rabid. Bakit ganyan?” he said.
“After na itong committee hearing, naglabasan na lahat, kaya pala sabi nilang ganun. So ngayon, namulatan sila. Marami sa kanila namulat na sa katotohanan. Kaya ngayon, confident siya sa pagboto niya na ito, pagboto ko na ito, nasa likod ko ang mga constituents ko,” Chua added.
Chua also cautioned against dismissing allegations against public officials despite growing evidence presented in congressional hearings.
The House Justice Committee previously cited findings involving alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, including Commission on Audit notices of disallowance, questionable beneficiary records, and inconsistencies flagged by lawmakers in supporting documents.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), noting reported gaps in declared cash and bank deposits over several years, as well as discrepancies between declared net worth and transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Earlier, lawyer Peter Paul Danao said the Bank of the Philippine Islands clarified that a reported “₱2 billion” figure was actually “₱2 million,” attributing the discrepancy to a “system glitch.”
The impeachment case also includes allegations involving supposed death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The National Bureau of Investigation has filed complaints related to alleged grave threats and inciting to sedition after reviewing a video linked to the vice president.
“Ayan na ang ebidensya, overflowing na. And yet you still justify. Jina-justify mo pa rin,” Chua said.
He said both lawmakers and senators will ultimately be held accountable by voters for how they act on the impeachment case.
“Pagdating sa 2028, sasabihin mo kung bakit ‘yan ang naging boto mo. Dahil sisingilin ka ng taong bayan,” he said.
Chua added that House members themselves will face the same scrutiny from their constituents.
“Ganon din kami. Sa distrito namin. Tatanungin din kami, bakit ‘yan ang naging decision mo? Bakit ‘yan ang binoto mo?” he said.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the impeachment articles on May 11, with reports indicating that more than 200 lawmakers may support transmitting the case to the Senate for trial.
In an interview on ONE News’ “Politika All The Way,” Chua said large amounts of money are allegedly being poured into online networks to influence public opinion and promote what he described as “blind followers.”
“Pero ngayon sa nakikita ko, could you imagine they're spending hundreds of millions sa mga fake news, sa mga trolls. Saan nanggagaling itong mga pera? Ang daming pera para lang manira,” Chua said.
“Ngayon nawala na yung mga legitimate ng mga news. Mas pinanonood na puro mga fake news. Kaya kung minsan yung pag-iisip natin, fake na rin. Hindi mo na rin alam kung ano yung totoo,” he added.
Chua, a member of the House Committee on Justice and chair of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said disinformation has made it harder for the public to distinguish between verified reporting and manipulated content circulating on social media.
“Kaya hindi dapat lahat na nababasa natin paniwalaan na natin agad. Kailangan maging mapanuri tayo. At tingnan din natin kung anong totoo,” he said.
He made the remarks while discussing public reaction to evidence presented in the House Committee on Justice hearings on the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
According to Chua, the hearings have already shifted public perception in some areas, including among constituents who initially opposed the impeachment.
“May isa kong congressman na nakausap. Hindi ko na nasabihin kung saan lugar. Sabi niya sa akin, before, dun sa first impeachment, kasi alam natin, very popular ng mga Duterte, dami daw nagalit sa kanya, na constituents niya. Talagang very rabid. Bakit ganyan?” he said.
“After na itong committee hearing, naglabasan na lahat, kaya pala sabi nilang ganun. So ngayon, namulatan sila. Marami sa kanila namulat na sa katotohanan. Kaya ngayon, confident siya sa pagboto niya na ito, pagboto ko na ito, nasa likod ko ang mga constituents ko,” Chua added.
Chua also cautioned against dismissing allegations against public officials despite growing evidence presented in congressional hearings.
The House Justice Committee previously cited findings involving alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, including Commission on Audit notices of disallowance, questionable beneficiary records, and inconsistencies flagged by lawmakers in supporting documents.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), noting reported gaps in declared cash and bank deposits over several years, as well as discrepancies between declared net worth and transactions flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Earlier, lawyer Peter Paul Danao said the Bank of the Philippine Islands clarified that a reported “₱2 billion” figure was actually “₱2 million,” attributing the discrepancy to a “system glitch.”
The impeachment case also includes allegations involving supposed death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The National Bureau of Investigation has filed complaints related to alleged grave threats and inciting to sedition after reviewing a video linked to the vice president.
“Ayan na ang ebidensya, overflowing na. And yet you still justify. Jina-justify mo pa rin,” Chua said.
He said both lawmakers and senators will ultimately be held accountable by voters for how they act on the impeachment case.
“Pagdating sa 2028, sasabihin mo kung bakit ‘yan ang naging boto mo. Dahil sisingilin ka ng taong bayan,” he said.
Chua added that House members themselves will face the same scrutiny from their constituents.
“Ganon din kami. Sa distrito namin. Tatanungin din kami, bakit ‘yan ang naging decision mo? Bakit ‘yan ang binoto mo?” he said.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the impeachment articles on May 11, with reports indicating that more than 200 lawmakers may support transmitting the case to the Senate for trial.
May 10, 2026
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