CBCP warns of fake news on socmed

MANILA, Philippines — Amid continuing investigations on corruption involving anomalous government projects, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has described lies as the “older brother of corruption.”

In his homily during the first dawn mass on Monday at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Sebastian in Lipa, Batangas, CBCP president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera said the country seemed to have fallen further into darkness because of corrupt government officials.

Garcera warned the faithful to be cautious of people sharing their opinions, claiming to be truths, on social media.

“This is dangerous, because truth is not changed by opinion. There are a lot of speculation and fake news on social media. Even if these are supported by many, these cannot make wrong things right,” he said.

Garcera urged the faithful to face lies and corruption with courage and honesty.

He criticized silence in the face of a wrongdoing, noting that fear and shame or pretense prevent people from speaking the truth or standing for justice.