The House of Representatives' quad committee has requested the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to "identify, investigate, and file charges" against "organized vloggers" who persistently undermine and disrupt their investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the quad committee, wrote to NBI Director Jaime Santiago on November 25, requesting an investigation into the "deliberate disinformation drive" by what appears to be organized vloggers spreading lies on social media platforms.
He asked Santiago to assist the quad committee in investigating and identifying the individuals or groups responsible for creating and posting "damaging and misleading vlogs."
He specifically requested the NBI to "secure and preserve all digital evidence related to the vlog, including metadata, upload details, and associated activity logs."
According to him, these vloggers are "lying, fabricating falsehoods, and posting them on YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms with the aim of maligning and discrediting the co-chairs and members of the quad panel," including himself and Representatives Benny Abante, Dan Fernandez, and Stephen Joseph Paduano.
Barbers criticized the social media posts, stating that "these not only undermine the integrity of public service but also foster an environment of confusion, mistrust, and deception in public perception."
On behalf of the quad committee, he clarified that they welcome "even the harshest criticisms" of their work, as their objective is to uncover the truth.
He also acknowledged that criticism is part of the risks of their work, but emphasized the need to draw the line between "spreading false, damaging, and libelous vlogs" and mere propaganda.
"Clearly, these individuals are vloggers funded by POGOs," said Barbers.
He submitted to the NBI evidence of the defamatory vlogs originating from various social media platforms, including a derogatory vlog from his province taken by "mercenary vloggers" based in Manila, which linked him and his brother, Surigao del Norte Gov. Lyndon Barbers, to illegal drugs.
Barbers said that he trusts the expertise and commitment of the NBI Cybercrime Division to address cyber-related violations, especially those aimed at disrupting and undermining legitimate and transparent public processes.
