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Lapid Not Named Blue Ribbon Committee Chair Despite Viral Claims
Senator Lito Lapid has not been appointed as chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, despite viral social media posts claiming otherwise. The false information has circulated widely on major platforms, misleading thousands of Filipinos about leadership changes in one of the Senate’s most influential committees.
Two videos, one on YouTube posted October 8 and another on Facebook uploaded October 9, show footage purportedly of Lapid being sworn in by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as the committee’s new chairman. The YouTube video, which bears the superimposed text “Sen. Lito Lapid New Chairman [of] Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,” has accumulated nearly 800,000 views and over 1,000 likes.
The Facebook version has gained even more traction, amassing more than 26,700 reactions, 9,300 comments, and 1,900 shares, with its view count exceeding 1.1 million. Both videos have provoked numerous comments questioning Lapid’s qualifications and criticizing the Senate’s handling of ongoing flood control investigations.
However, official Senate records confirm that Lapid has neither been appointed as chair nor is he being considered for the position. The deceptive videos manipulate footage from an unrelated ceremony where Lapid was sworn in as a member of the Commission on Appointments alongside Senator Ping Lacson.
The circulation of this misinformation comes at a sensitive time for the blue ribbon committee, which is currently in transition following Lacson’s resignation as chairperson on October 6. Lacson stepped down amid concerns from fellow senators about the direction of high-profile flood control project investigations being conducted by the committee.
In the interim, Senator Erwin Tulfo has been designated by the Senate majority bloc as acting chairperson. The Senate leadership is still deliberating on a permanent replacement.
According to Senate President Sotto, five senators are currently under consideration to fill the position: Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Pia Cayetano, Raffy Tulfo, and JV Ejercito. Notably, some potential candidates have already expressed reluctance to assume the role, aware that heading the Senate’s most powerful investigative panel often places its chairperson in politically contentious situations.
The blue ribbon committee, formally known as the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, holds significant power in the Philippine political landscape. It conducts investigations on malfeasance, misfeasance, and nonfeasance in government, with authority to summon officials and examine sensitive documents.
Interestingly, Lapid himself has publicly urged Lacson to reconsider his resignation, specifically citing Lacson’s law enforcement background as making him well-suited for the position. As of September 2, Lapid was listed only as a member of the committee, not its leader.
The spread of this misinformation highlights ongoing challenges with social media verification in the Philippines, where political content can rapidly gain traction without proper fact-checking. The videos have caused considerable confusion about Senate operations at a time when the blue ribbon committee faces pressure to advance several high-profile investigations.
The Senate has recently undergone several leadership changes beyond the blue ribbon committee, with shifts in majority and minority bloc compositions affecting various committee assignments. As deliberations continue on who will permanently lead the committee, the false claims about Lapid’s appointment serve as a reminder of how easily misinformation can spread during periods of institutional transition.
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8 Comments
Interesting to see the viral misinformation around Lito Lapid’s supposed appointment as Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair. Fact-checking is so important to counter the spread of false claims, especially on social media.
Agreed, it’s concerning how quickly misinformation can spread these days. Fact-checking is crucial to maintain public trust and accountability.
While the viral videos may have been well-intentioned, spreading unverified information can have serious consequences. I’m glad the facts have been set straight on Lapid’s role.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee plays a critical oversight function, so it’s important the public has confidence in its leadership. Fact-checking these types of claims is essential.
Absolutely. Maintaining trust in the integrity of the Senate’s investigative committees is crucial for effective governance and accountability.
This highlights the need for greater transparency and clear communication from the Senate on leadership changes. Misleading claims undermine public confidence in the institution.
Absolutely. The Senate should be proactive in correcting any false information to uphold its integrity and ensure the public has accurate information.
It’s troubling to see how misinformation can spread so rapidly, especially around important government institutions. Kudos to the fact-checkers for setting the record straight.