Social media figures apologize after House grilling
Social media personalities issued apologies for their online posts after being questioned by lawmakers during a House tri-committee hearing.
Eight influencers attended the inquiry, with MJ Quiambao and Krizette Chu turning emotional as they faced scrutiny over their statements.
Quiambao admitted lacking evidence for her claim that extrajudicial killings under former President Rodrigo Duterte were a 'massive hoax,' while Chu apologized for calling the government 'stupid' in a post about the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.
Mark Lopez also faced questioning over his remarks on the West Philippine Sea, ultimately conceding, 'Sorry po, fake news po ako [I peddled fake news].'
To combat disinformation, Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz emphasized the need for government coordination and urged social media platforms to self-regulate content.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Arabian Post
Ohio legislature backs mining, self‑custody and tax relief
Lawmakers in Ohio's House Technology and Innovation Committee have approved House Bill 116 — dubbed the 'Bitcoin Rights' measure — with a unanimous 13‑0 vote. The legislation safeguards personal control over encrypted digital assets, explicitly legalises individual and corporate mining and node operation, and provides a state income‑tax break of up to US $200 per transaction in capital gains from digital assets. The bill, formally titled the Ohio Blockchain Basics Act, moves to the full House for a vote as part of an initiative to position the state as a hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency operations. At the heart of the measure is the protection of self‑custody rights, allowing citizens to keep their crypto in hardware or self‑hosted wallets without interference from state or local authorities. It also shields miners and node operators from regulatory burdens. Individuals may mine at home, in residential zones, and businesses may operate industrial‑scale mining farms where zoning rules permit. Additionally, digital‑asset activities such as mining, staking, token swaps and node‑running would not trigger money‑transmitter or investment licensing requirements. ADVERTISEMENT Another key component is the $200 per transaction exclusion from Ohio state income tax on capital gains from digital assets used as payment. That threshold is set to rise annually with inflation, offering relief to small‑scale users and encouraging routine use of cryptocurrency in commerce. Local governments, including municipalities and charter counties, would also be barred from imposing their own taxes or fees on such transactions. The legislative analysis explains that the bill prevents state or locality from prohibiting acceptance of crypto as payment or from confiscating hardware or wallets. In industrial zones, mining operations enjoy protections from discriminatory rezoning, though noise and zoning regulations still apply. Proponents, including the bill's primary sponsor, Representative Steve Demetriou, have framed the bill as a foundational move to foster technology innovation, champion financial autonomy and attract blockchain businesses to Ohio. The bipartisan, unanimous committee vote reflects broad political willingness to embed crypto‑friendly measures at state level. Supporters argue Ohio will benefit economically by drawing in infrastructure investment and fostering public familiarity with digital assets — especially with enhanced legal certainty and tax incentives in place. However, critics caution that the bill may leave regulatory gaps, presenting consumer‑protection and environmental challenges. Concerns have been raised over potential disregard for energy‑intensive mining's impact on local power grids and carbon emissions. Others warn that dubbing activities like mining and staking as outside the scope of money‑transmitter laws could allow for unmonitored financial operations. Industry experts and legal analysts note that the bill's nuanced definitions — covering digital assets, hardware wallets, self‑hosted wallets, nodes and mining operations — constitute one of the more comprehensive legal frameworks for crypto in the US. Its allowance for pension funds to study digital‑asset ETF investment is also seen as a significant institutional development. Under the bill, each state retirement system must submit a report within a year assessing the viability, advantages and risks of investing in digital‑asset ETFs, and offer recommendations to reduce exposure in case of such investments. Should the full House and Senate pass the bill and the governor sign it, Ohio will rank among the most crypto‑welcoming states. Observers suggest that its balanced approach — mixing legal clarity, tax relief and targeted environmental zoning controls — may serve as a model for other jurisdictions exploring blockchain policy frameworks. With the committee stage complete, attention now turns to the legislature's upper chamber, where further amendments or debates may arise. Policy‑wonks will be watching for potential changes on environmental stipulations and consumer protections, as well as alterations to the tax‑exemption levels.
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Arabian Post
Crypto Lobbying Spurs Democratic Support for Stablecoin Bill
The U.S. Senate has enacted the GENIUS Act, the first-ever federal framework for regulating dollar‑pegged stablecoins, with a decisive 68–30 bipartisan vote on 17 June 2025. Eighteen Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the legislation, which now advances to the House and is expected to reshape Washington's digital asset rules. The bill mandates that stablecoin issuers back tokens with liquid assets such as U.S. Treasuries, require regular financial disclosures and adhere to anti‑money‑laundering measures. It grants banks the authority to issue stablecoins, while explicitly restricting executive branch officials and legislators from sharing in their profits—a direct response to concerns over conflicts of interest. A surge in crypto-sector investment in political campaigns appears to have shifted momentum. Industry spending topped $119 million in support of pro‑crypto congressional candidates during the 2024 cycle. Lobbyists then intensified efforts to engage Democratic lawmakers, viewed as essential for reaching the 60-vote threshold in the evenly divided Senate. ADVERTISEMENT Internal communications among Democratic operatives reveal strategic alignment with crypto backers. In a private group chat described in reporting by the Lever, coalition members acknowledged that, despite ethical concerns, opposing the industry would be 'political suicide.' One member reportedly observed that any amendment targeting Trump‑family conflicts would be 'DOA,' suggesting token amendments offered for optics rather than impact. Legislators including Senator Elizabeth Warren have voiced misgivings, arguing that the bill inadequately shields consumers or addresses risks associated with big‑tech or foreign‑issued stablecoins. She contends it grants too much leeway to the likes of former President Donald Trump's crypto ventures, such as the Trump memecoin and World Liberty Financial. The crypto lobby's efforts have extended beyond campaign funding to retention of influential political operatives. Coinbase, for instance, recently appointed veteran Democratic strategist David Plouffe to its advisory board, joining a roster of insiders from both parties. Observers note this reflects crypto's emerging status as a 'politically competitive' constituency. The political dynamic has shifted decisively. As AP reports, Democrats are balancing distrust of Trump-linked crypto enterprises with newfound recognition of the sector's electoral influence. Backing the GENIUS Act became for many a strategic necessity, notwithstanding deep ideological resistance to deregulation. The Senate vote occurred amid broader legislative discussions. The CLARITY Act—aimed at clarifying agency jurisdiction across the SEC and CFTC—is under consideration in the House Financial Services Committee. Some lawmakers propose merging the stablecoin and authority-defining bills, though others caution it could delay the GENIUS Act's passage. Crypto industry leaders view the GENIUS Act as a critical precursor to more comprehensive legislation. Ledger's Head of Global Policy, Seth Hertline, described the Senate's action as 'a political bellwether' for the sector's broader legislative agenda. The bill's passage also intersects with Trump's personal crypto interests. His family's stablecoin projects have sparked accusations of profiteering and lobbying for relaxed oversight. Critics warn that current legislative safeguards fall short of preventing conflicts of interest. The next phase lies in the House, where Republican leadership must reconcile the Senate's GENIUS Act with its own STABLE Act or integrate it into broader regulatory plans. Some Republicans advocate adding provisions to limit central bank digital currency initiatives, though such measures may complicate Senate approval. Major stablecoin issuers such as Tether and Circle —together controlling over $200 billion in supply—stand to gain regulatory clarity and legitimacy if the GENIUS Act becomes law. Recent moves by major corporates, including JPMorgan's planned stablecoin on Coinbase's Base chain and indications that Amazon and Walmart are exploring token issuance, signal growing private‑sector enthusiasm. As the House deliberates, questions remain whether the Senate's bipartisan vote marks the start of a fully fleshed-out U.S. crypto regulatory regime—or the culmination of a high-stakes battle between policy integrity and political pragmatism.
Filipino Times
4 days ago
- Filipino Times
VP Duterte: Senators shouldn't inhibit from impeachment trial based solely on political bias
Vice President Sara Duterte rejected calls for certain senators to recuse themselves from her impeachment trial, arguing that political bias alone should not be grounds for inhibition. Speaking at a press conference in Davao City, Duterte responded to growing clamor for her Senate allies—including Senators Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, and Robin Padilla—to inhibit themselves from serving as senator-judges in the trial. She countered that if political alignment is to be used as a standard, then even her critics, such as Senator Risa Hontiveros, should also be disqualified. 'We cannot inhibit senator-judges based on bias, because the only position they have is either being for or against Inday Sara,' she said in Filipino. 'If that's the standard, then we should also call for the inhibition of senators who have shown bias against me—like Senator Risa Hontiveros, who publicly said that the Duterte family must be destroyed.' Duterte urged the public to trust that all senator-judges, regardless of political stance, will perform their duties fairly. 'If we start disqualifying senators based on perceived bias, we'll end up inhibiting most of them. That's why I say we should give them the benefit of the doubt and trust them to carry out their responsibilities according to the oath they took,' she added. The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint. The articles of impeachment were sent to the Senate the same day, though the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case. Duterte faces accusations including betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. Last week, the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, voted 18-5 to return the case to the House without dismissing it.
