'Cyberbullied' lawmaker seeks NBI probe amid ABS-CBN franchise issue

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 6) — Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla appealed to the National Bureau of Investigation to look into supposed “cyberbullying” against him and other lawmakers amid ongoing deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise.

During the 12th hearing of the House joint panel on Monday, Remulla said he filed a complaint with the NBI after he was subjected to attacks on social media. He previously claimed these were being plotted by “some ABS-CBN people.”

“I’d like to tell the committee that today, after my experience over the past 10 days of being the subject of many organized attacks on social media, I have gone to the NBI to complain about the cyberbullying to my person and to other members of the House,” he told the committees on legislative franchises and good government and public accountability.

A video that went viral last week showed Remulla taking notes while the Philippine National Anthem “Lupang Hinirang” was being played before the start of the House deliberation on the broadcast network’s franchise.

He already apologized for the misdeed, but claimed that people tied to the ABS-CBN were behind the circulation of the video. He did not provide evidence for this accusation.

He also reasoned that he only took down notes to prepare last-minute questions before the hearing started.

Remulla did not name who were tagged in his complaint but alleged that these individuals employed “troll farms” to ruin the reputation of the House.

He then asked the joint committee to “look into the deception” of some of the resource persons who testified before the panel.

“Yung mga nagsinungaling sa ating committee, alam natin dapat parusahan ng contempt kasi lagi nating pinapaalala sa kanila na magsabi ng buong katotohanan,” Remulla said.

[Translation: Those who lied to our committee should be cited in contempt because we’ve always reminded them to tell the truth.]

After more than a month of discussions on ABS-CBN’s franchise following its shutdown, the House panel is set to wrap up its deliberation on the matter this week before voting on whether to grant or deny the broadcast giant’s bid.