Circulating graphics claim that Palace Press Officer Claire Castro criticized actress and social media influencer Ivana Alawi for helping, stating that it is the president’s job. This quote is fabricated.
On July 20, Facebook pages and users shared six graphics bearing photos of Alawi visiting the wake of a slain motorbike taxi rider along with an image of the Presidential Communications Officer undersecretary.
The quote cards all bore this supposed remark from Castro:
“Wala akong problema sa pagtulong mo, pero kunting (sic) respeto naman iha. Gawain ‘yan ng pangulo, wag mo sanang pangunahan (I have no problem with you helping out, but show a little respect, young lady. That is the president’s job, please do not preempt him.”
This quote is fake. There are no official statements or legitimate reports of Castro lambasting the actress for helping. The quote came from a graphic that originally bore a “satire” disclaimer, which other netizens then passed off as true.
An FB page posted a satirical graphic on July 20 carrying the fake quote. Below the quote was a disclaimer written in smaller font:
“Disclaimer: Satire/Parody. All content on this page is entirely fictional and intended for entertainment, humor and commentary purposes only. Do not take [it] seriously.”
The post’s caption also carried the word “satire:”
“USEC. DISMAYADO KAY IVANA (Usec. disappointed with Ivana)!
Ivana bumisita sa lamay ng rider na namatay dahil sa hold-up. Maraming netizens ang naka-appreciate sa vlogger dahil mabilis itong dumalaw at nakiramay at nag-abot ng tulong (Ivana visited the wake of the rider who died during a robbery. Many netizens appreciated the vlogger for promptly visiting and offering condolences as well as providing assistance).
Via: satire.”
Several reposts of the fake quote did not bear any satirical disclaimers. Some of the posts cropped out the disclaimer in the original graphic, while others created new social media cards without disclosing that the quote is not real.
The fake statement circulated the same day Castro held a press briefing where she was asked about the crime incidents this July, including the separate killings of an American marine biologist, a pro-Marcos vlogger and the motorcycle taxi driver.
Castro noted that the administration is not happy with the crime incidents and that the Philippine National Police has intensified their efforts to protect the communities and offer faster response. She never mentioned anything about Alawi, who has visited the wake of the slain driver and is also known to extend cash assistance and giveaways to her social media followers.
VERA Files has debunked other disinformation related to the undersecretary.
Thirteen posts without proper satire labels by FB users and pages such as CACPC Citizens Against Crime, Poverty and Corruption (created on July 4, 2015), Mr JV (created on Jan. 14 2022 as Katakot Pinoy Story) and Panda Reports (Feb 9, 2012) have collectively garnered 271,489 reactions, 40,888 comments and 11,056 shares.
