COTABATO CITY, July 17, 2025 — In a powerful and heartfelt privilege speech delivered during the 4th Regular Session of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament, Member of Parliament (MP) Abdulbasit R. Benito raised a red flag on the growing menace of fake accounts, disinformation, and coordinated online attacks targeting public figures and institutions.
Addressing his colleagues in the plenary, MP Benito spoke not only as a legislator but as a direct victim of what he called “coordinated acts of character assassination and digital demolition jobs.” He expressed alarm over how social media has become a battleground for lies and hate, deeply impacting both individuals and the democratic fabric of the Bangsamoro region.
“These are no longer isolated incidents,” MP Benito stressed. “They are coordinated acts that have evolved into tools for demolition jobs, character assassination, and the deliberate destruction of reputations.”
The MP, visibly moved, described the emotional and social toll inflicted by online abuse. “As someone who has personally experienced such attempts to tarnish my name and credibility, I can speak to the damage these actions inflict — not just on individuals, but on the collective trust of our communities,” he said.
MP Benito cautioned that if this culture of deception and toxicity is left unchecked, social media may permanently transform into a space where truth is silenced and misinformation prevails. He called on his fellow parliamentarians to take a stand.
“As Members of this honorable Parliament, we have both the mandate and the moral obligation to respond,” he declared. “Whether through legislation, policy reform, or collaboration with relevant agencies, we must act now to protect every Bangsamoro citizen in the digital realm.”
In a moving appeal grounded in faith, MP Benito invoked a verse from the Holy Qur’an to highlight the moral duty of speaking the truth. Quoting Surah Al-Ahzab, Chapter 33, Verse 70, he reminded everyone:
> “O you who believe! Keep your duty to God and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth.”
He called on public servants and ordinary citizens alike to uphold these values by refusing to engage with or share unverified content, especially those from anonymous or malicious sources. “Every reaction to such content only feeds the fire of misinformation and injustice,” he warned.
Furthermore, MP Benito urged the promotion of digital ethics and media literacy, particularly among the youth, emphasizing their potential as agents of truth and unity. “Let us use social media to uplift, inform, and unite — not to destroy, deceive, or divide.”
His call resonated with a clear message: while the threats may be virtual, the consequences are painfully real. The speech ended with a resounding appeal to act with “courage and wisdom,” reminding his fellow leaders that the defense of truth and justice must extend beyond the halls of Parliament and into every corner of the digital world.
MP Benito’s address drew support from fellow lawmakers and was seen as a timely reminder of the values that must guide the evolving landscape of governance in the Bangsamoro region.
July 17, 2025 - BY Admin