A Facebook post is claiming that Kim Kardashian will fly to the Philippines to personally represent Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial. This is fake.
Kardashian, whose full first name is Kimberly Noel, is an American media personality, socialite and businesswoman. Although she completed a four-year legal apprenticeship in California in 2021, she has not passed the U.S. bar exam required to practice law even in that state.
Published on July 7, the post featured an image of Kardashian alongside a fabricated quote falsely attributed to her:
“I’ve officially decided to fly to the Philippines to personally represent Sara Duterte in her impeachment proceedings.
After years of studying the law, advocating for criminal justice reform, and surviving reality television, I think I’m finally ready for my biggest legal challenge yet.”
The photo of the American media personality used in the post is from June 2019, when she visited the White House to discuss criminal justice reform.
The post bore a caption:
“Thank you ATTY. KIM for helping our Vice President Sara Duterte! may God help you!”
Under Section 1 of Rule 138 of the Rules of Court of the Philippines, the practice of law in the country is limited to people who are duly admitted members of the bar and maintain good standing.
A candidate must be a citizen of the Philippines, a resident of the country, at least 21 years old, and of good moral character. They must also be a graduate from an accredited law school.
For dual citizens, eligibility hinges on their Filipino citizenship status under the law. Under the Dual Citizenship Law or RA 9225, people who hold Filipino citizenship from birth, or former natural-born Filipinos who formally reacquired it, are permitted to study, take the examinations, and practice law, provided they fulfill all the required administrative clearances from the Supreme Court.
Foreign nationals are completely barred from practicing law in the country. No foreign lawyer can represent clients or appear before Philippine courts.
The vice president’s defense roster is composed of Filipino legal practitioners. The 16-member panel is led by Sheila Sison, with Michael Poa as spokesperson.
The fake post emerged online following the start on July 6 of the Senate impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
The post published by a Facebook user with 6,300 followers has so far garnered 2,087 reactions, 86 comments, and 329 shares.
