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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Monday, June 12, 2017
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MANILA – Sen. Joel Villanueva wants to put an end to fake news.
Villanueva said he will file a bill imposing penalties against individuals who “maliciously” create and “intentionally” spread fake news and disinformation in print, broadcast or online platform.
His statement came after Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II tagged senators Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Antonio Trillanes IV and several other officials to the ongoing siege in Marawi City.
Aguirre claimed that the officials’ “meeting” with Marawi leaders may have “probably and possibly” sparked the terroristic acts to destabilize the Duterte administration.
According to him, the senators along with Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Ronald Llamas, political adviser of former president Benigno Aquino III, met with the Alonto and Lucman clans on May 2.
Aguirre later denied making such statement and accused the press of misquoting him.
“Those who author lies and fake news should not be tolerated, most especially when public interest is at stake,” Villanueva said. “We want to strike a balance between democracy and the duty to promote a high standard of ethics, especially in public service.”
Aguirre should apologize and “retract his statements” against the opposition senators and other officials, Villanueva said.
For his part, Aquino said the Justice secretary should issue a public apology and “take responsibility for his reckless accusations.”
Aguirre is expected to publicly clarify his previous statements and apologize today.
“The clarification that his office issued is merely stating the obvious,” said Aquino. “The least he can do is make a public apology at hinahanap natin ang pangako na mas magiging maingat na siya sa kanyang mga binibitawang salita.”/PN
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