Manila, Feb. 18 -- The House Tri Committee (Tricomm) inquiry on the dissemination of fake news and malicious content on social media platforms is not intended to suppress freedom of speech, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said Tuesday.

"I just would like to reiterate that the objective of the hearings the Tricom is conducting is not to suppress the freedom of expression or the freedom of speech," Barbers said at the start of the second hearing of the panel.

"In fact, we are all aware that this is provided for in our Constitution and we'd like to respect the right of everyone to his own opinion or to his own expression. Contrary to what others may be thinking, this is not in any way a tool to suppress their expressions or opini...