The heightened activity of ‘trolls’ on social media after it was announced that the investigation into the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project would start soon only shows that someone is scared of being implicated, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said.
Ridon, in a press briefing on Wednesday, was asked about the recent attacks and ridicule he received online from both influencers and trolls, or social media users who post inflammatory remarks meant to trigger people.
These attacks noticeably increased after he announced last Monday that the House of Representatives will start the dolomite probe.
In response, Ridon said those behind the dolomite beach project may be scared of what his panel, the House committee on public accounts, might discover.
‘I think so. I think there is an actual fear from those who are behind the dolomite beach project,’ he suspected.
‘This is not new. It was revealed and discussed last September 2020. In fact, almost all the people here wrote articles about this topic. But this will be the first time that there would be a chance to shed light on what really happened with this project,’ he added.
Ridon, who also said that the first hearing will be held on November 19, hopes there would be more clarity on the matter after the discussions.
‘So hopefully, in the next couple of days, before the hearing on November 19 starts, there will be additional details, particularly on the actual implementation of this Dolomite Beach project,’ he noted.
A glance on Ridon’s Facebook page would show that he himself shares posts made against him – ranging from wrong information that he wants a probe into the dolomite beach because he supposedly wants it channelled to other flood control projects, to claims that he is stupid, and even remarks about his features.
Ridon also has an uncanny way of addressing the posts against him – sometimes sharing memes and even responding to claims by placing his educational background, which has also become the subject of criticisms.
According to the House member, while he makes official statements in response to false claims, he thinks troll attacks can be addressed in the same language or style.
‘Because it’s a troll attack, you have to answer them based on how they actually do it, right? I mean, of course, there are portions where I have to answer officially, because it is part of our official responses, like now, my responses are very official,’ he said.
‘And there are other social media posts, for example, where I officially mention matters like the announcements, and even some of the exhibits which will probably show in the hearing. So it’s a balance of actually communicating the discussions that we will have,’ he said.
The dolomite project, which costs around P349 million, was widely criticized for allegedly being an unnecessary project, especially since it was started in September 2020 – at the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic – while Duterte claimed the government was losing funds.
Officials like former Vice President Leni Robredo said that the funds could have been used for other more pressing needs, like financial aid for poor families or gadgets for students enrolling in distance and blended learning modes.
Ridon, for his part, has been critical of the project even before returning to the House of Representatives under Bicol Saro party-list.
In September 2020, Ridon, as convener of non-government organization Infrawatch PH, said that the Manila Bay rehabilitation project lacks an environment compliance certificate (ECC) and is allegedly marred by corruption issues.
Ridon made this statement as several groups believe that dumping crushed dolomite sand over Manila Bay poses dangers on human health and biodiversity – as pro-environment activists said that the sand caused a fish kill.
Other groups also said that dolomite can actually contain heavy metals like lead and mercury, which are both dangerous for humans.
Some individuals also pointed out that several American companies have conducted studies on dolomite, warning about higher risks for cancer.
Earlier, Ridon also clarified that the investigation does not target former President Rodrigo Dutete, amid allegations that the congressional probe is merely a form of politicking.
According to the lawmaker, the project being conducted under Duterte’s term is merely coincidental, as it would have been subject to criticisms if it were taken by his predecessors or successors.
He also clarified that the former president is not the one who proposed to dump dolomite sand on Manila Bay.
‘The truth is that for the dolomite, it is only coincidental (that Duterte was president) because irrespective of whichever regime it is, irrespective of whichever government it is, if the dolomite project was made in the Aquino administration, in the Duterte administration, in the current administration, I think people will still have an objection to it,’ Ridon explained.
‘Because the question has always been – First, is it consistent with the Manila Bay master plan? And second, is it consistent with the Supreme Court’s continuing mandamus? So the question of who the president is is actually irrelevant,’ he added.