Nelson Morales

Sotto advises Padilla against naming individuals if uncertain on information

Article (news)

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III advised Senator Robinhood Padilla against naming someone possibly involved in an issue if uncertain about the information. </p><p>This, after Padilla played an audio clip during the plenary deliberations of the proposed 2026 budget of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Tuesday. </p><p>Two persons could be heard talking about the use of trolls in the clip. </p><p>“Humihingi ka na naman ng dagdag, puro palpak naman yang mga blogger mo,” one person said. </p><p>“Pasensya na madam, ginagawa naman po namin lahat yung mga script na fino-forward sa amin eh. Sinunod naman po namin,” the other replied.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/5/9/gov-t-mulls-classifying-fake-news-peddlers-as-cyber-terrorists-1742">Cyber terrorists? Gov&#x27;t mulls new label on &#x27;fake news&#x27; peddlers</a></div><p>According to Padilla, “Hindi ko po sinasabing sa inyo galing ito. Ang sinasabi lang po nila, ito daw po ay boses ng Usec.” </p><p>“Ang sabi po nila ito daw po ay voice recording ni Usec. Claire Castro, na siya po ay may kausap na mga vlogger,” he added.</p><p>Sotto then offered a suggestion. </p><p>“Instead of ah, naming somebody that we&#x27;re not sure of, why don’t we, you send it to the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) for a voice print. Imbes na nanghuhula tayo, nagbabanggit tayo ng pangalan, we are mentioning the name of Usec. or Atty. Castro. It’s unfair for her,” Sotto said. </p><p>Senator Loren Legarda, the budget sponsor of PCO, backed Sotto’s suggestion. </p><p>“I would not be in the position to ascertain the authenticity of the voice and I would recommend the suggestion of the Senate President to please give that tape recording to the NBI for authenticity,” Legarda said. “I would not say it&#x27;s true, I would not say it&#x27;s AI. Let the experts determine that.” </p><p>Padilla argued that he only wanted to ask if PCO knew of the audio clip. </p><p>He also played a video of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. where he allegedly admitted that he hired thousands of troll armies.</p><p>According to Sotto, “I would like to inform you that that was a joke. He meant a joke, because tinitira siya ng mga troll noon, so ang ginawa niya kunwari meron siya sariling troll. I assure you that because I know it for a fact.” </p><p>Legarda said the PCO does not use trolls. </p><p>“I am told they do not have trolls, I am told they do not use government funds for fake news and trolls. They&#x27;re all organic supporters,” Legarda said. </p><p>Padilla pointed out that he is not politicking and has never said anything personal against the President.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/18/house-panel-issues-show-cause-orders-to-social-media-platforms-for-snubbing-hearing-1825">House panel issues show cause orders to social media platforms for snubbing hearing</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fF0zSBw8Bm8?si=XOJx_7_nW_ce2slA" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III advised Senator Robinhood Padilla against naming someone possibly involved in an issue if uncertain about the information.</p>

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III advised Senator Robinhood Padilla against naming someone possibly involved in an issue if uncertain about the information.