Metro Manila, Philippines – Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday, Nov. 5, that he would file complaints with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and social media giant Facebook over social media accounts allegedly spreading false information about his health and the cases involving Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Remulla said the posts appeared intended to undermine public confidence in the Office of the Ombudsman and influence public opinion, particularly as Romualdez faces proceedings at the Sandiganbayan.
“We’re filing complaints with Facebook to take down many of these accounts that do not portray the truth, and are just there for propaganda purposes, and to deceive the people,” Remulla said.
He cited a social media blog discussing Romualdez’s case, saying its content seemed to be designed to influence public opinion and build support for the former speaker’s bid for bail.
Remulla also disputed posts suggesting that his health had deteriorated.
“It’s been almost three years since I’ve been cancer-free,” he said, adding that even friends in the media had reached out to him after seeing the posts.
The ombudsman said the planned complaints would initially seek action against the accounts, while investigations were ongoing to identify the people behind them.
He said the investigation would look into who owned and operated the accounts, including those suspected of being part of troll farms, but stressed that any action must also respect freedom of speech.
