OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla warned the public against paid social media propaganda aimed at misleading Filipinos about corruption cases, saying money, political connections and online manipulation would not stop the government from pursuing accountability.
Remulla’s remarks came as he marked his first year in office earlier this week and cautioned that paid comments, reactions and fake accounts were being used to distort public opinion and influence perceptions of ongoing corruption investigations.
“Our cases are not decided by trending topics, hashtags or the loudest comment section,” Remulla said in Filipino.
“Social media platforms such as Facebook have become channels for black propaganda. Some people pay for comments, reactions and fake accounts to make lies appear to represent the voice of the people,” he added.
He urged the public to assess corruption allegations based on official records and evidence rather than social media discussions.
“Let us not be fooled by people paying for comments and reactions. If you want to know the truth, do not look at the comment section,” he said.
“Look at the documents. Look at the cases filed. Look at the evidence,” he added.
Remulla vowed to pursue corruption cases regardless of the position, wealth or influence of those implicated.
“To those still hoping that time, money, connections or a paid army online will save them: they will not,” he said and urged the judiciary to act on cases already filed, stressing the need for an independent and impartial judicial process.
“The cases are now in court. We have done the hardest part: building them. The next chapter belongs to our courts,” Remulla said.
He appealed to the courts to be “impartial, independent and attuned to the times,” especially now that 39 cases have already been formally filed in relation to the multibillion-peso flood control scandal — 35 before the Sandiganbayan and four before Regional Trial Courts.
A total of 52 individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement in the flood control scandal, including “one sitting senator, one former senator, four congressmen including a former House Speaker, one former secretary and thirty-three DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) employees, eight contractors and other private individuals.” “Some are already in custody, and some are still wanted,” Remulla said.
Among those charged are former speaker Martin Romualdez and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who face separate plunder charges in connection with the flood control controversy. Both are detained at the New Quezon City Jail following the filing of the cases.
