A video Facebook post by Hidden Official has been circling around

the internet, They claimed that Noynoy Aquino and Risa Hontiveros
conspired to steal 15 billion in funds from Phil Health. The Facebook post is
entitled: “sabwatan nina Noynoy Aquino at Risa Hontiveros PhilHealth
Bistado na! 15 billion pesos ninakaw!” this Facebook post lasted 6 minutes
and 34 seconds with 5.6k reactions and 1k comments that are purely
netizens trying to wish Risa’s death. These people weren’t able to
differentiate between misleading content and factual truth. The page
Hidden Official has over 46 thousand followers, the page is full of fake news and misleading pieces of
information that 46k people devour, they treat this social media as a media outlet when in reality this page
is nothing but fake.

It is evidently seen that the pictures provided on the clip was just pictures easily accessible on
Google. These pictures are repeatedly shown on the clip which made the post seem fake without even
trying to show some factual fragments of evidence. The second thing I noticed is how the person behind
the clip remained anonymous throughout the whole clip without even showing his/her physical identity.
A responsible journalist must present themselves when delivering important information in accordance
with ethics and professionalism. Journalists can more easily be held accountable for their work and the
effects it has on the communities they cover if they are willing to put their faces out there.

Hontiveros, who served on the board of directors of Philhealth from November 2014 to October
2015, has frequently been the subject of false information about the organization. Currently, an
anonymous claim has increased in value from 163,850,00 to 15 billion pesos. The organization emphasized
that the money (15 billion) had been distributed to 711 hospitals as part of the immediate reimbursement
system, a method where PhilHealth offers a payment advance for insurance claims. Hontiveros was not on
the list of responsible Philhealth executives, according to Rey Balea, the corporate relations manager of
Philhealth, in an e-mail sent to VERA Files in 2018.

This is an email sent by Rey balea to vera files in 2018.

Additionally, the hidden official website has a history of disseminating incorrect and misleading
information that targets specific officials and makes unfounded accusations of wrongdoing against them.
Their assertion is merely a hollow information source.

When someone is the subject of false information, their reputation, relationships, and even career
may be at jeopardy. False stories can create social isolation and public humiliation, particularly for Risa
Hontiveros given that she is a public servant. Based on their frantic demand for the death penalty, the
internet users who trusted this information clearly want her to die. Fake news is never going to be accepted
since it benefits no one. It will only cause severe conflict and disorder. First off, it undermines public
confidence in both the democratic process and government. Furthermore, it may result in unwarranted
reputational harm, which could hinder Risa Hontiveros capacity to lead successfully. Publishing false
information about someone you aren't fond of is terrible since it harms them, their family, and the
community as a whole. Many innocent people suffer as a result of it since it spreads hatred and damages
trust.

First off, the harm that fake news causes to a person is comparable to a crime. One thing I can do
as an STS student is to thoroughly research any information I intend to disseminate or republish. It takes a
community to spread false information; individuals cannot do it alone. One thing I might suggest to macro
is to enroll in a media literacy course since I can attest that it helped me tremendously when I was doing
my SHS research because it enabled me to distinguish between fake news and the truth. Additionally, we
could also contribute by keeping away from feelings triggered by spectacular stuff and supporting
trustworthy news sources and participating in peaceful, open debates can help create a more educated
and ethical online environment.
REFERENCE:

Fake news link:

Hidden official. (2020, August 7). sabwatan nina Noynoy Aquino at Risa Hontiveros PhilHealth Bistado

na! 15 billion pesos

ninakaw! Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/100051420785723/videos/29653850156

0003/?mibextid=zDhOQc

CNN Philippines Staff. (2021, April 3). PhilHealth insists ₱15B funds not missing, 98% already

'liquidated'. cnn. https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/4/3/philhealth-15-billion-

funds-98--liquidated.html

Files, V. (2022, March 17). Vera files fact check: Hontiveros not involved in P15 billion corruption mess in

PhilHealth. VERA Files. https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-hontiveros-not-

involved-p15-billion-co

Files, V. (2022, March 17). Vera files fact check: Hontiveros not involved in P15 billion corruption mess in

PhilHealth. VERA Files. https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-hontiveros-not-

involved-p15-billion-co