Exposed: China Secretly Funding Pro-Duterte Vloggers – What Are They Hiding?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

​Former Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed that the Chinese government sponsored seminars for pro-Duterte vloggers, covering all expenses including travel, accommodation, and seminar costs. ​

During a House tri-committee hearing on fake news and disinformation held on March 21, 2025, Cruz-Angeles admitted her participation in one such seminar organized by China's National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) from May 23 to June 5, 2023. She revealed that the invitation came directly from the Chinese Embassy, which regularly selects participants for these programs. The seminar focused on emerging trends in social media, including techniques for creating short-form videos and provided a background on China. ​

This disclosure has raised concerns about foreign influence in the Philippines, especially considering recent events involving Chinese nationals. On March 3, 2025, the Philippine government announced an investigation into donations made by groups affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). These groups, led by four Chinese nationals accused of espionage, had donated cash and equipment to local Philippine officials and police forces. The donations included 500,000 pesos to the mayor of Tarlac City, 10 motorcycles to Manila's police, and 10 patrol vehicles to Tarlac's police. The investigation aims to determine whether these donations were made in good faith or with ulterior motives. ​

The intertwining of media training programs and alleged espionage activities has sparked a broader debate about the extent of China's influence in the Philippines. Senator Raffy Tulfo has called for an immediate halt to government programs that send high-ranking Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers to China for studies and training, with expenses paid by the Chinese government. Tulfo described such programs as a significant insult, especially in light of ongoing harassment and bullying of AFP members by Chinese military forces in the West Philippine Sea. ​

These developments come amid efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the Philippines and China. On January 4, 2023, both countries signed 14 bilateral agreements covering various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, maritime security, and tourism. One notable agreement was the Implementation Program on Tourism Cooperation, aiming to enhance tourism collaboration between the two nations. ​

While such agreements aim to bolster economic and cultural ties, the recent revelations have led to increased scrutiny of China's involvement in the Philippines' internal affairs. The sponsorship of seminars for pro-Duterte vloggers and the alleged espionage activities have raised questions about the potential for foreign influence operations. As the Philippines navigates its relationship with China, balancing cooperation with vigilance remains a critical challenge.​

Bloggers vs. Journalists: The Shocking Truth No One Wants to Admit!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Here’s a compelling and engaging article based on the quote from Vergel Santos:

The Blogger vs. The Journalist: A Battle of Truth and Responsibility

In an era where information flows boundlessly across digital landscapes, the lines between bloggers and journalists have become increasingly blurred. Many argue that both play a role in informing the public, but industry veteran Vergel Santos, Trustee of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, makes a stark distinction:

"A blogger decides for himself or herself. A journalist does not."

This statement cuts through the heart of the debate—journalism is bound by responsibility, while blogging is a choice-driven narrative.

The Discipline of Journalism vs. The Freedom of Blogging

A journalist is forged through rigorous training in discipline and ethics. Their work goes through layers of verification, editorial oversight, and ethical scrutiny before reaching the public. This system ensures that the information they disseminate is:

Truthful – Facts are cross-checked, sources verified, and claims substantiated.

Well-contextualized – Stories are placed within a broader social, historical, or political framework.

Not malicious – Intent matters in journalism. Ethical journalists seek to inform, not to deceive or manipulate.

Contrast this with bloggers, who, while often skilled communicators, operate outside traditional editorial structures. Many decide their own narratives, publish without fact-checking, and are driven by personal opinions rather than journalistic rigor. This autonomy can be powerful but also dangerous—it can lead to misinformation, propaganda, or sensationalism.

When the Lines Blur: The Dangers of Misinformation

In the age of "fake news" and disinformation campaigns, the unchecked power of blogs and social media influencers has contributed to public confusion and political polarization. Without a structured vetting process, misleading narratives can be passed off as truth, sometimes with devastating consequences.

This is not to say that all bloggers are irresponsible, nor that all journalists are flawless. But the key difference is accountability. Journalists work under an institutional framework that demands truth and responsibility. Bloggers, on the other hand, have the freedom to choose their own path—whether towards ethical storytelling or personal gain.

The Challenge for Modern Media Consumers

With the digital revolution democratizing information, the responsibility now lies with us—the readers, the consumers of content. We must ask ourselves:

Are we verifying the sources of our news?

Are we distinguishing between opinion and fact?

Are we holding content creators accountable for spreading misinformation?

As Vergel Santos warns, bloggers "don't understand those things." While this may be a generalization, it serves as a wake-up call to demand higher standards of truth and responsibility—not just from bloggers, but from all who have the power to inform the public.

Conclusion: A Call for Ethical Storytelling

The battle between bloggers and journalists is not about superiority—it is about trust. In a world drowning in information, credibility is the lifeline. Whether one is a journalist or a blogger, the duty remains the same: to tell the truth, to provide context, and to act with integrity.

The question now is: Will we rise to the challenge?

The Age of Misinformation: Should the Government Intervene?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire, it is no longer enough to call out those who peddle fake news. The real challenge lies in how easily people believe these fabrications without verifying the truth. This is not just about political factions like the so-called DDS (Diehard Duterte Supporters) or any other social media groups. The problem runs much deeper—it is a crisis of critical thinking, a symptom of a society that has become too trusting, too gullible, and, at times, too eager to accept narratives that fit their biases without question.

Misinformation has become a weapon, wielded not just by anonymous trolls and opportunistic vloggers but also by those with political and financial interests. The ease with which these falsehoods spread reveals a glaring issue: many people lack the discernment to differentiate between truth and manipulation. But should the government step in to address this growing epidemic of gullibility? And if so, how?

A System to Combat Fake News: Is It Time for Government Action?

One might argue that cracking down on fake news starts with identifying and penalizing those who create and distribute it. However, focusing solely on the perpetrators overlooks a crucial point—the vulnerability of the audience. If people were more equipped to analyze information critically, fake news would lose its power.

Thus, rather than just chasing down misinformation spreaders, the government should consider implementing a system that fosters media literacy and critical thinking among its citizens. Imagine a structured, nationwide program embedded in schools, workplaces, and communities, educating Filipinos on how to fact-check sources, recognize bias, and develop healthy skepticism toward unverified claims.

Such an initiative could take various forms:

Educational Integration – Mandate media literacy in school curriculums, teaching students how to discern facts from propaganda at an early age.

Public Awareness Campaigns – Utilize TV, radio, and social media platforms to run engaging campaigns highlighting the dangers of fake news and how to counter it.

Fact-Checking Bodies with Authority – Strengthen independent, government-backed institutions that provide real-time verification of viral content while remaining free from political influence.

Mandatory Digital Literacy Training for Online Influencers – Before allowing vloggers and bloggers to monetize their content, require them to pass a certification process that ensures they understand ethical reporting and accountability.

The Risk of Government Control: A Double-Edged Sword?

However, placing the responsibility entirely on the government poses another risk: the possibility of censorship and political bias. Who decides what is fake news? If a ruling administration controls the narrative, it could easily suppress dissent by labeling opposing views as misinformation. This is why any intervention should involve a coalition of independent journalists, educators, civil society groups, and non-partisan institutions to ensure a balanced approach.

Empowering the public to discern truth from falsehood is a far more sustainable solution than simply banning misinformation at face value. After all, a well-informed society is the best defense against deception.

The Real Battle: Ignorance vs. Awareness

At the heart of this issue is a stark reality: misinformation thrives because people allow it to. Many lack the patience or willingness to verify claims, and some even prefer sensational lies over inconvenient truths. If we want a society that does not fall victim to propaganda, the focus should not just be on punishing fake news peddlers but also on strengthening the intellectual defenses of the people.

The question is no longer whether the government should act but how it should do so without crossing into dangerous territory. Regulation without education is mere suppression, but education without accountability is ineffective. It is time for a national awakening—one where truth is not dictated but discovered through a culture of responsibility, scrutiny, and intellectual empowerment.

Would you agree that enlightenment is the ultimate antidote to deception?