HOUSE impeachment trial spokesperson and Assistant Minority Leader Renee Co of Kabataan Party-list on Sunday urged Filipinos to actively check facts, report false claims, and guard the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte from disinformation.
In an interview with Todo Balita sa Hapon hosted by Geli Mendez over dwIZ on Sunday, Co said, “Siguro ako gusto kong magsalita bilang kinatawan ng kabataan. Nag-aalala tayo sa lumalalang disinformation na nakikita sa social media na lumalaganap din sa physical on-ground sa araw-araw nating buhay.”
She said false information now spreads like lightning across online platforms and even within everyday community spaces.
For Co, public discernment must now become an essential part of civic participation.
The youth lawmaker said the response should involve not only government institutions, but also citizens, schools, communities, media organizations, and other sectors of society.
“Kaya kailangan lahat tayo magtulungan para malabanan ang disinformation,” she said.
The call came as several claims surrounding the impeachment case against Duterte drew national attention, including claims from Sen. Imee Marcos on a possible charter change plot supposedly connected to the impeachment trial.
Co warned against letting false claims shape decisions in the accountability process. “Ayaw natin kung ano mang gawing aksyon ‘di lang ng Senado pero natin (House prosecution panel) sa proseso ng pananagutan [ay] nanggaling pala sa maling impormasyon,” she said, while urging the public to question claims, compare sources, and refuse to spread posts, videos, or messages without verification.
The impeachment trial spokesperson said the youth must learn to distinguish between facts and falsehoods.
She said Congress continues to engage young people in schools and communities. “…Paano sila mismo makakita kung ano ang disinformation at ano ang katotohanan.”
This means checking original sources, she said, seeking credible reports, and resisting content intended to confuse public judgment.
“Paano rin ito i-report, i-confront ‘yung iba kung may narinig at nalalamang hindi pala tama, and tulong-tulungan tayo para hindi ito ang umiral,” she continued. Reporting false content and correcting false claims help protect the integrity of the impeachment process, she stressed.
Co said accountability must remain the center of public attention. “Ang panawagan ng mamamayan lahat ng sangkot dapat managot,” she said, continuing, “So para makamit natin ‘yun, kailangan po lahat tayo aktibo, sumasali, lumalahok sa usapin. Tuloy-tuloy nating pagbantayan ang posibling maling impormasyon, disinformation.”
“At siyempre sa puno’t dulo nito tuloy-tuloy na i-demand na ang pera ng taumbayan pumunta sa serbisyo, hindi sa korupsyon, hindi sa bulsa ng iilan,” Co said.
