Former House Committee on Public Accounts chairman Joseph Stephen Paduano of Abang Lingkod Party-list on Sunday, Jan. 11, vehemently denied social media posts falsely attributing to him a statement on the recent encounter in Oriental Mindoro between government troops and New People’s Army rebels, calling the claims fabricated and malicious.
In a fake social media post shared by Jay Sonza, he was “falsely quoted as blaming President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the reported bombing in the mountains of Mindoro, alleging that many youths—some of them students—were hit, and accusing the Chief Executive of being heartless and of having used them during their time in Congress”, Paduano said in a press release.
Paduano, who is from Negros Occidental, stressed that the posts were fake and did not originate from him.
He said the circulating claims run counter to his long-standing record in Congress, particularly his consistent support for national defense and security.
The former House leader noted that during his time in the House of Representatives, he pushed measures aimed at strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and addressing insurgency.
Warning against the dangers of disinformation, Paduano said the fake posts would not be taken lightly and that legal options are being considered.
Paduano also urged the public to exercise caution and critical judgment, especially when consuming information online.*