Multiple graphics and reels circulating across Facebook, Tiktok, and X, claiming that American singer-songwriters Lana Del Rey and Sabrina Carpenter are serving as defense lawyers of former president Rodrigo Duterte, and are leading efforts to secure his “absolute freedom” from the International Criminal Court. This is fake.
Del Rey and Carpenter are not legal counsels in real life. The graphic and reels were originally posted by the same FB user on April 30 and May 1, featuring these celebrities alongside fabricated statements.
The posts carried identical captions falsely portraying the singers as legal representatives:
Atty. Lana Del Rey/Sabrina Carpenter: “I WILL NOT REST. I WILL USE EVERY LEGAL AND POLITICAL AVENUE AVAILABLE TO SECURE HIS ABSOLUTE FREEDOM.”
DEFENSE TEAM GATHERS UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT FOR FPRRD’S RELEASE
“Let me be crystal clear: Rodrigo Duterte will not spend another day in confinement. We are mobilizing resources across borders, from human rights advocates to national legal titans. Our approach is multi-faceted and relentless. We are taking this to the highest courts and beyond. We will not stop until he is exonerated and free. This is not just a defense; it’s a mission.” – Lana Del Rey Team Official/Sabrina Carpenter Team Official
These were later reposted by several FB users and further circulated in pro-Duterte FB groups, misleading some netizens. Several users even left comments expressing support and outrage, including:
“Wow God Bless Ganon kami sa mga Duterte totoo Ang aming Pagmamahal marami tumutulong….
(Wow, God bless. That’s how we are with the Dutertes — our love is genuine. Many [people] are helping…)”
“Napakawalang hiya mo atty . Dahil sa kanta mong naging hit dahil sa mamamatay taong Duterte gagawain mo ang lahat para mapalaya siya .Paano naman yong mga pinapatay at kanyang pinatay wala lang ba yon . Siguro naman hindi ka kagaya niyang mamamatay tao. Hindi ko alam bakit sa kabila ng mga ginawa at sobra ka pang magmàlasakit . O baka naman ay pareho lang kayo . Nagtatanong lang naman . At bakit mas makapang yarihan kaba sa lahat pati na ang Dios . Magisip isip lawya at marami kang sinasagahan . No one is above the law . Only the power of GOD prevail . Not your underarm power .
(You are so shameless, attorney. Because your song became a hit thanks to the murderous Duterte, you are willing to do everything to set him free. What about the people killed? Does that mean nothing to you? Surely you are not like that murderer. I don’t understand why, despite everything he has done, you still care so much for him. Or maybe you are just the same as him. I’m only asking. And why do you think you are more powerful than everyone else, even God? Think carefully, lawyer, because many people are affected by what you are doing. No one is above the law. Only the power of God prevails, not your so-called power.)”
“Thank you so much sa walang sawang support nyo sa aming butihin presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte sa mga anak ni tatay digong Laban lang tayo lalabas din ang katotohanan we are proud as a Pilipino because of tatay digong.
(Thank you so much for your endless support for our good president Rodrigo Duterte and for his children. Let us continue the fight because the truth will eventually come out. We are proud to be Filipinos because of Tatay Digong.)”
When VERA Files Fact-Check analyzed these graphics using Hive Moderation AI Detection tool, they showed a 99.8% likelihood of being AI-generated. The diamond logo on the lower-right corner indicates that they were likely created using Google Gemini.
Posts like these often emerge due to algorithmic amplification on most commonly used platforms like Facebook and TikTok, with content that trigger strong reactions and go viral, especially if they involve celebrities like Del Rey and Carpenter.
A recurring pattern in posts of Duterte supporters is the linking of prominent personalities to his ICC case. This includes resurfaced similar false claims involving Elle Woods — the fictional lawyer from the Legally Blonde movie played by actress Reese Witherspoon — which VFFC had already debunked earlier in 2025.
These misleading posts surfaced after the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I confirmed the crimes against humanity charges against Duterte and ruled the case will proceed to trial on April 23. Days after the posts came out, lawyer Nicholas Kaufman announced he was withdrawing from Duterte’s defense team, while the identity of his replacement counsel has still to be revealed.
Published by multiple FB users, these posts have collectively amassed over 28,062 reactions; 1,544 comments; and 7,563 shares.
