Robredo: I'm top target, Marcos top beneficiary of fake news

Vice President Leni Robredo deplored the spread of disinformation against her on social media, which she said are benefitting her rival, ex-senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

Facing fellow presidential candidates at the PiliPinas Debates 2022, Robredo said social media must be held accountable for the spread of these fake news.

"Dapat hanapin iyong source. Dalawang companies iyong naggawa ng study na sinasabi na ako iyong number one na tinitira ng lahat ng disinformation at number one na nakikinabang sa disinformation ay si Mr. Marcos," she said.

"Kailangan iyong social media platforms should be made accountable dahil sila ang nagiging bahay ng mga disinformation na ito," she added.

The presidential candidates were asked about the regulations they would put in place if they win to control fake news.

Marcos did not attend the debates organized by the Commission in Elections.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said existing laws should apply on purveyors of fake information.

“Well, certainty of laws, there are already laws existing. It has to be applicable to everyone. And that includes the source of this application,” Moreno said.

“We should make, kailangan natin silang habulin at panagutin [na] bakit sila pumapayag na magkaroon ng fake accounts sa kanilang application,” he added.

Moreno took the opportunity to raise anew the P203 billion estate tax debt of the Marcos family that his party is pushing to collect.

“O nga pala, hindi po fake news yung estate tax na P203 billion. Supreme Court ruling po ‘yun, with finality, singilin na lang,” Moreno said.

Moreno earlier vowed to retrieve the Marcos family's estate tax debt of over P200 billion, proposing to use the money for aid.

He said he would implement the decision of the Supreme Court in 1997 in which the high court denied the petition filed by Marcos to reverse the decision of the Court of Appeals.

During the debate, Moreno, Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson and labor leader Leody de Guzman said the unpaid estate tax could be used for subsidies and aid to Filipinos battered by the pandemic.

Senator Manny Pacquiao said fake news can destroy lives, including the youth.

"Kailangan ma-control ang fake news na 'yan dahil maraming nasisira ang buhay, maraming impormasyon ang naiisaksak sa kukote ng kabataan na hindi totoo.  Dapat maparusahan ang gumagaw ng fake news," Pacquiao said.

Another presidential candidate, Faisal Mangondato, said laws in the country should be enforced and wrongdoers punished.—LDF, GMA News