A video is circulating on Facebook claiming that human rights advocate Fr. Flavie Villanueva received money from former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co for the priest’s “Bahay Kalinga” program. This is false.
The viral clip, first published on Feb. 24, was taken from the same day as the live coverage of lawyer Levito Baligod’s press briefing aired by SMNI online news program Newsblast. The publisher is an FB page which regularly posts content favoring former president Rodrigo Duterte.
A reader asked VERA Files Misinformation Tip Line to check the veracity of the video’s claim, which appeared as a caption that read:
“Fr. Flavie nakatanggap ng pera kay Zaldy Co | Mga preso at ‘EJK victim’ kinausap para idiin si PRRD
(Fr. Flavie received money from Zaldy Co/Prisoners and ‘EJK victims asked to pin down PRRD).”
Three similar reels using the same clip were published the day after the message was posted, followed by a graphic with the same caption featuring a side-by-side photo of Villanueva and Baligod.
In an interview with VERA Files Fact Check, Villanueva denied the allegation, calling it “libelous” and saying that “Duterte and his minions are allergic to the truth.” The Ramon Magsaysay awardee clarified he has never met Co or received any form of financial support from him.
The priest explained his facility is open to those in need of a sanctuary but emphasized that no “suitcases of money” or political payoffs have ever been part of his ministry.
The viral videos with prominent graphic texts surfaced following the press briefing of a group of self-proclaimed “ex-Marines”, represented by Baligod, who alleged that funds from the flood control scam were used to pay for the expenses of International Criminal Court investigators when they were in the Philippines as well as witnesses in the complaint against Duterte in The Hague.
The press briefing was held as the ICC conducted Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing for crimes against humanity from Feb. 23 to 27.
Published by FB pages Pinoy Showbiz (created March 1, 2018), Sara region VI (created Sept. 17, 2019), Scoop Update PH (created July 21, 2023), and two FB accounts collectively garnered 78,264 reactions; 8,104 comments; and 29,694 shares.
