IN THE DRAGON’S LAIR
VLOGGERS and social media influencers, mostly pro-Duterte, attended a state-sponsored seminar in China, with the Chinese government covering all expenses, former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Sec. Trixie Cruz-Angeles admitted during Friday’s House hearing on fake news and online disinformation.
At the House Tri-Comm’s hearing, Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez of Quezon questioned Cruz-Angeles about the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) of China and its role in training media practitioners from different countries.
Suarez showed a photo of the attendees to the NRTA seminar, with Cruz-Angeles and other pro-Duterte vloggers posing for a picture.
“You are fully aware that they do conduct training programs for media practitioners mula sa iba’t-ibang bansa?” Suarez asked.
Cruz-Angeles confirmed her awareness of such programs, acknowledging that she was one of the invitees.
Cruz-Angeles named fellow participants in the seminar, which took place from May 23 to June 5, 2023, in China.
“Myself, Pia Morato, Tio Moreno – who was there as a journalist and I think an information officer – Mr. Mark Lopez and Attorney Ahmed Paglinawan,” she said, adding that she could not recall other names.
When pressed by Suarez about who funded the trip, Cruz-Angeles admitted that the seminar was “sponsored,” with the Chinese government covering travel, accommodation, and seminar costs.
“Yes, sir,” she confirmed when asked if China had paid for everything.
The former PCO chief revealed that the invitation came directly from the Chinese Embassy, which regularly selects participants for such programs.
“They conduct these regularly, I understand,” she said, adding that mainstream media practitioners were also invited at different times.
Suarez emphasized that the program was a “state-funded activity” of China aimed at training media practitioners, including vloggers. Cruz-Angeles acknowledged that the seminar introduced attendees to emerging trends in social media.
“They introduced new techniques in social media such as short-form videos, how to take them and other technical aspects. They also gave a background on China,” she said.
Suarez asked whether it was her first time participating in such a seminar.
While she said it was her first time joining a vlogger-focused training, she admitted having attended a previous Chinese government-sponsored event as part of a cultural exchange program in Xi’an.
“I was in Xi’an for an archaeological seminar,” she said.
Suarez also turned to pro-Duterte vlogger Mark Anthony Lopez, confirming his participation.
“Sir, yan lang po ‘yung na-attendan ko po,” Lopez said, affirming it was his only China-sponsored seminar.
The lawmaker then asked whether the seminar influenced their work.
“Would you think that the seminar that you attended affected your perspective or the work that you do?” Suarez asked.
Cruz-Angeles downplayed its impact on her political views, saying she was already well-versed in China’s history.
“The new learning was their teaching of short-form videos – reels, TikTok and one-minute YouTube videos,” she explained.
Lopez, on the other hand, said he gained an understanding of “how China media works.”
Suarez concluded his questioning by acknowledging their responses.
