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Philippine House to probe POGO-linked vloggers, lawmaker says
Jenny Ortiz
January 21, 2025
The Philippine House of Representatives plans to establish a special committee to investigate vloggers allegedly funded by illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). According to Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, these individuals are suspected of spreading disinformation aimed at discrediting the Quad Committee.
In a radio interview, Barbers, who chairs the Quad Committee, pointed out that some vloggers have used their platforms to disseminate false narratives against the legislative body. He underscored the need for a regulatory framework to prevent misuse of influence by online personalities.
Vloggers under scrutiny
Barbers said banned POGOs still operating within the country are believed to be financially supporting these vloggers. The alleged disinformation campaign includes attempts to malign members of the Quad Committee and foster public distrust. Barbers suggested that these efforts could be connected to illegal drug lords and other entities affected by the committee’s investigations.
The representative stated that criticism is constitutionally protected but must align with responsible discourse, particularly regarding public duties. He added that the committee’s objective is to maintain law and order and counter efforts to create confusion and fear through organised disinformation.
Strengthening legislative response
The investigation will involve a Tri-Committee tasked with drafting legislation to address misinformation and regulate the online activities of vloggers and influencers. The proposed measures aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the digital sphere.
In a letter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Barbers requested an in-depth probe to identify the individuals or groups behind the disinformation campaign. He also called for the preservation of digital evidence, including metadata and activity logs.
Targeting organised campaigns
Barbers presented evidence of malicious vlogs sourced from social media platforms, some of which linked him and his brother, Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, to illegal drugs. He described these attacks as orchestrated efforts by paid groups, speculating that their backers might include POGO operators and other entities affected by the Quad Committee’s work.
Actions vs. POGOs
Last year, the Quad Committee submitted critical documents to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), urging swift legal action against Chinese nationals accused of illegally acquiring land and operating businesses. The Quad Committee is composed of the Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts. They uncovered fraudulent activities such as falsified Filipino citizenship used to bypass foreign ownership restrictions. These violations threaten national security, prompting the committee to call for prioritised civil forfeiture cases against those involved.
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