NU denies students walked out on Risa Hontiveros

Students didn't walk out on Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday as some posts in the social media made it appear, the National University has said.

In a statement, the NU administration said the senator did not deliver any speech at their campus that day.

"In reference to the article that came out on social media, where National University students allegedly walked out in the middle of Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ speech, allow us to set the record straight," NU said.

"Sen. Hontiveros was not present and did not deliver any speech in National University last Thursday morning," it added.

NU said that the pictures posted in relation to the article was "taken more than four years ago and were not in any way connected to any protest on any issue."

In a certain article, it was stated that Hontiveros visited NU to promote an anti-Marcos book written by Raissa Robles. It was also mentioned that the senator brought dozens of books to be distributed to the students.

However, the article said the NU students left while Hontiveros was still in the middle of delivering her speech.

NU has called on the public to responsibly use any form of social media, especially that the spread of fake news and misinformation have become rampant.

"In this day and age of fake news, we believe the platform of social media, for both content provider and user, should be treated responsibly that brings out truth and wisdom rather than maliciously that brings out lies and hate," NU said.

It was not the first time that the senator's name landed on fake news websites.

In June 2017, Hontiveros was depicted as being supportive of the ISIS-inspired Maute group.

The lawmaker condemned and denied what she called a "fake news campaign." —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News