Facebook Meddling in Filipino Politics? Marcos Spokesperson Thinks So
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Is Facebook censoring members of presidential aspirant Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s camp and other government officials?
On Tuesday, April 26, Marcos' spokesperson Atty. Vic Rodriguez's Facebook account was disabled temporarily because of certain activity that Facebook/Meta claims “doesn’t follow” its Community Standards.
“FB/Meta suspended my account because I am for Bongbong Marcos. This is censorship of the highest degree and interference on a sovereign act,” he said in a statement.
The spokesperson was given 30 days to disagree with the platform's decision to suspend his account. He responded to this by saying, “I will not appeal for I have not violated anything. My duty is to the Filipino people and not to FB/Meta."
He further stated: "I will continue communicating with the many other forms of media available that are free from filter, censorship, or manipulation from foreign platform providers."
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., likewise, also asked the social media giant to explain the “series of flagging and removal of posts” by state officials and media agencies.
Revilla addressed Facebook country director John Rubio on April 26, raising concerns over the platform's recent removal of post from officials and media agencies.
“While we recognize Facebook and Meta’s continuing efforts against disinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, terrorism, among other problems encountered in social media platforms, I join the concern of government agencies and mass media organizations about the effects of the abovementioned incidents in the performance of official functions and their implications in national security, sovereignty and fundamental freedoms,” Revilla said in the letter.
Among the incidents the senator was referring to were the warnings issued against the accounts of National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., our very own Philippine News Agency, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Popoy De Vera.
Facebook/Meta representatives have yet to respond as of posting time.
