Senate panel issues subpoena vs. Lazada, Shopee, MSAP execs for skipping hearing

A Senate committee on Wednesday issued subpoenas to the officials of online shopping platforms Shopee and Lazada, as well as the Media Specialist Association of the Philippines, for skipping its second hearing on the rise of social media platforms.

During the hearing, Senator Francis Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, floated the idea of issuing subpoenas as he said the officials have “refused to attend” the deliberations.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon then made a motion, which was duly seconded by Pangilinan.

“I move that the appropriate subpoenas be issued to Lazada and the others that are invited here,” Drilon said.

Drilon also suggested that the subpoenas include a warning to the concerned officials that they may be cited in contempt should they skip the next hearing.

"The subpoena shall contain a notice that if they have ignored the invitation of this committee without giving an explanation and that the failure to heed the subpoena shall give rise to a contempt citation," Drilon said.

"We already place that warning so that if they don't attend the next time, we can hold them in contempt," he added.

Before approving the motion, Pangilinan cited Section 17 of the Rules of Procedure on the inquiries in aid of legislation. This provides that "the committee shall have the powers of an investigating committee including the power to summon witnesses and take their testimony and to issue a subpoena and subpoena duces tecum signed by its chairman or in his absence, the acting chairman and the approval by the president."

"So it has been moved and seconded and we adopt and approve the motion to issue the subpoena to the following: Lazada, Shopee, and Media Specialist Association of the Philippines," Pangilinan ruled.

The Senate panel has invited the officials of the online shopping platforms and the Media Specialist Association of the Philippines to provide insights on the advertisement placements on online videos that contain defamation or false information.

GMA News Online has reached out to Shopee, Lazada and MASP regarding their comment, but they have yet to respond as of posting time.  —KBK, GMA News