DOJ asked to probe Ilongga vlogger over health claims vs PBBM

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Authorities are moving to identify and locate Jinky Avelino Miraflores Carpio, also known as “Iloy Bugris”, an Ilongga vlogger based in Dubai, over alleged misleading online posts concerning the health of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed Wednesday, April 15, that it endorsed for investigation to the Department of Justice (DOJ) three social media accounts accused of spreading fabricated claims that the president is seriously ill.

Aside from “Iloy Bugris,” two other Facebook accounts were also the subject of the endorsement.

The PCO said the Ilongga vlogger, through the page “Iloy Bugris: The Queen of Revelations,” conducted live broadcasts falsely claiming the president is critically ill and solicited financial contributions from viewers.

It added that during one broadcast, the administrator displayed a purported medical document that was fabricated.

The page, which has a following of 2.3 million, remains active as of writing.

“The deliberate fabrication and dissemination of false information—particularly during a declared State of National Energy Emergency under Executive Order No. 110—is a crime under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, with penalty elevated when committed online under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. The AFND will continue to monitor, document, and refer for prosecution verified instances of criminal disinformation,” the PCO said.

Under the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended), Article 154, which penalizes the unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances, may be meted with arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months imprisonment) and a fine ranging between PHP 40,000.00 to PHP 200,000.00.

When committed through digital platforms, like social media, Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) increases the imprisonment to prision correccional (6 months and 1 day to 6 years).

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said authorities are still assessing the motive behind the alleged false information, but stressed that the matter is being treated as malicious.

“We can’t say. But one thing is certain: The release of this fake news is malicious, which is why the appropriate endorsements of the narrative reports of these accounts are being submitted to the DOJ,” he said.

Martinez added that the cases will be referred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for evaluation and case buildup.

“The NBI will check if the facts, evidence, submitted in this endorsement report warrant the filing of criminal charges,” he said.

Asylum eyed

“Iloy Bugris,” in an interview with DYRI RMN Iloilo, said she is prepared to seek asylum if deportation proceedings are initiated.

She claimed she had consulted legal counsel and was told that she is outside Philippine jurisdiction because she is currently based abroad.

She also said she holds United Arab Emirates residency under a visa tied to her Canadian spouse.

She added that she may file for asylum in another country if deportation is pursued, drawing comparisons to past cases involving political asylum applications by other public figures.