What seems to be a random Facebook post, coming from an “honorable” person in the Philippines, Senator Robin Padilla on his deleted post had used a chain message believing that Meta is using his personal data and asked everyone to disseminate the message—without reading the Terms and Conditions of Meta first to verify his claim.
For some, it may be a harmless post without a clear effect to those who had seen it. However, what is clear is that who shared the fake news is a prominent public figure that legitimizes hoaxes instead of disintegrating these kinds of malicious chain messages that had been circulating in social media for years.
If referring to the Terms and Conditions, using chain message to prevent Meta to collect your personal data is considered void. Thus, the same way the Privacy Policy of Meta clearly stated that they are not selling users’ personal data which made it clear that Sen. Padilla did not fact-check or should I say he did not read and impulsively shared a chain message containing pure hoax in social media.
The disappointing yet not surprising part is that Sen. Padilla is the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media who should be the frontline of factual information who became a medium itself to propagate baseless information that his job is to combat but does the opposite. Quite ironic.
Remembering that this was not the only time that he had released a groundless statement—as he claimed back in 2024 that wives should serve their husbands even if the wife is not in the mood. This opinion alone offended the mass, especially women, as the GABRIELA Partylist strongly condemned Padilla by uttering that women are not sexual objects and consent should be non-negotiable even though partners are married.
An alarming and invalidating remark that he had also released in previous months calling today's generation as “weak.” But, what's contradicting is that he himself had also experienced depression in one of his interviews but paradoxically does not believe that today's generation does not struggle with mental health. This only implies the demeanor that Sen. Padilla had shown in public what he's doing in the senate: incompetence and impoverished leadership.
If we really want a senator or someone in the government position who's more likely to resonate with the masses, voting for someone without an eligible background on legislative duties is not the best decision in the first place. Our taxes go beyond the pockets of these senators, to pay them for their work. But, the real question alone is the credibility of the Senator, like Padilla, who never does his job well.
It is still infuriating that some Filipinos are still voting for government positions like betting on a game and having in-first fanatics and who's more famous rather than looking on to their platforms, educational background, and character. This coming 2028, may this be a call to the 63 million registered voters, to rightfully use your votes for candidates that are far from Sen. Padilla who came straight from movies to politics without a clear and genuine background for public service.
Nevertheless, the least thing we could do is to be bothered and to clearly envision a change to the people we elect. Because this is not just an issue pertaining to an ignorant senator who had posted a chain message without verifying the legitimacy first, but a reflection of how the country had gone to easily launch misinformation everywhere—yet, no accountability nor liable for the damage that had done.
Posting a chain message, expecting an applause for the mass, became a laughing stock for believing a message that is clearly baseless. But, this goes far beyond being funny, but a blatant move to mock politicians who are spreading misinformation. Thus, I do hope that this should not be selective and any politicians and public figures who ought to spread fake information must be held accountable.
One thing is clear, what Sen. Padilla has done is pervasive. It is a matter of time we condemn these kinds of politicians who are using fake information just to assert influence or stay relevant. Because in the end, this is not just a harmless post to look at and continue scrolling down on social media. It is eating away the truth.
Written by Robi Miguel Villapando (Havoc), Insight PH
Robi Miguel Villapando (Havoc), Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
