Soon after US President Donald Trump was voted into power, several US government agencies came out with “rogue,” or “alternative,” Twitter accounts in response to his gag instructions on the external communications of these agencies regarding climate change and other now-sensitive topics.
The first to sprout up was connected to the US National Parks Service. This alt account defiantly tweeted information about human effects on climate change, something denied by many in the Trump government. This was followed by “Rogue Nasa” (the US space agency), and many other agencies, particularly those science-based.
It is unknown, however, if those running these alt accounts are truly employees of these government agencies. For those on the on the other side of the fence—“The Resistance” (showing the immense effect popular culture has on the zeitgeist)—the hope is that these alt accounts are genuine.
Because “it’s more fun in the Philippines,” several such alt accounts have also been opened by people purporting to be insiders of major Philippine agencies, spilling the beans on secrets that they’re supposed to keep.
First, there’s @AltMalacañang. Their header says, in white text on a black background: “They are slaughtering us like animals.” Their bio: “Your insider info into the gruesome state of PH presidency. We represent no political affiliation. Democracy is color blind.”
One of their most recent tweets as I write this goes: “Who is Felipe Villamor? Palace ordered PCO to “search with extreme prejudice” this super anti-PRRD @nytimes reporter.”
Their information also pertains to who’s in and out in the rigodon of Cabinet secretaries; allegations that a Cabinet secretary is “funneling funds and aid to Communist groups” thus earning the ire of “Alvarez and the military;” and Palace anger at Bato de la Rosa for allowing the New York Times to take a photo of Senator Leila de Lima in her jail cell: “Sympathy has grown exponentially.”
Next there’s @roguehrepstaff: “This house is doomed, replacing DPWH as the worst government agency established.” This account has some salacious goodies that I will not repeat here (scroll through their account to find them), while their other news pertains to the questionable behavior of the denizens of the Lower House.
The Upper House has a mole too – @RogueSenStaff: “Your insider to the Philippines’ most compromised legislative branch. Public Service doesn’t have any political color.” They retweet RogueHreps a lot, maybe because there are only 12 senators, and their inside info reveals alleged corruption inside their august institution.
Meanwhile, @AltTeamAFP— “Securing the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory in the time of Mr. Duterte”—sounds more formal and serious, as befits the military. As they tweeted recently, “We appreciate questions, reactions, and suggestions, but we will not attend to anything nonsensical. Only sensible ones will be addressed.” Now drop down and give me 10 pushups.
This account shares information about risks and threats to national security and ably explain issues such as their movements against the Abu Sayyaf and the New People’s Army.
Legit or not, this account made me feel safe when they tweeted: “Duty comes first. Do not worry, Philippines, we got you covered.”
There could be other such alt accounts but as far as I’ve found, these are the most popular. Are they really run by employees who see the rot behind the façade, using social media to bring about change? If yes, then perhaps they are hoping that the information they are leaking will stir people to action.
According to these accounts, there is much going on among our leaders that the majority of Filipino people don’t know about, but should be worried about. Now that’s an alternative that is not acceptable.
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I suggest that communication students and researchers looking for a topic to study investigate the phenomena of these alt Twitter accounts.
And by golly, there’s an app for that: “FCX: Filipino Communicative Experience.” This is the title and theme of this year’s National Communication Research Conference, to be held 23-24 November in Baguio City.
The conference is organized by the Department of Communication Research, College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines-Diliman; Department of Communication, College of Arts and Communication, UP Baguio; and the Philippines Communication Society.
Abstracts must be between 350 and 500 words, in Filipino, English, or Filipino languages (if in the latter, with translation in Filipino or English). Submit by July 12.
For more details, including the full list of suggested FCX topics, see their Facebook page @NCRCPhilippines.
Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste / Twitter: @jennyortuoste / IG: @artuoste