INFLUENCERS, VLOGGERS SEEK SUPREME COURT RELIEF AGAINST HOUSE PROBE ON FAKE NEWS Political and social media influencers and vloggers filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, February 4, challenging the House of Representatives' joint inquiry into the spread of false and malicious content on social media platforms. Among those who filed the petition are former press secretary Rose Beatrix L. Cruz-Angeles, Mark Anthony Lopez, Ernesto S. Abines Jr., Ethel Pineda Garcia, Krizette Laureta Chu, Jonathan A. Morales, Lorraine Marie Badoy-Partosa, Aeron S. Peña, Nelson U. Guzmanos, Elizabeth Joie Cruz, Suzanne Batalla, Kester John Tan, and George Ahmed G. Paglinawan. The House Tri-Committee (TriCom)—composed of the Committees on Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and Public Information—is investigating the rampant spread of disinformation on social media. However, the petitioners argue that the inquiry is "unconstitutional" and violates their right to free speech. According to the petition, regulating social media content conflicts with the constitutional guarantee that no law shall be passed abridging freedom of speech and expression. The petition further claims that the actions of the House TriCom create a "chilling effect" on free speech and constitute prior restraint on their rights. Former presidential spokesperson and now "fugitive" Harry Roque, the group's legal counsel, accused the House of targeting Vice President Sara Duterte and her allies. "It is no coincidence that the conduct of the joint inquiry happened after the announcement of House Secretary General that the three impeachment complaints vs. VP Inday Sara Duterte is about to be transmitted to Speaker Martin Romualdez this week," Roque said. He further claimed that the inquiry is part of a "political witch hunt" to silence the Dutertes and their allies. "From the very start, these influencers have been called and prejudged during the privilege speech of Representative Robert Ace S. Barbers as paid trolls and malicious vloggers. There is no other remedy but to find relief with the Supreme Court, where these embattled influencers and vloggers would have a fair fight," Roque added.

Adulting really is just constantly repeating chores and things.