A post on Facebook (FB) published a screenshot of a news story headline stating that President Ferdinand Marcos was criticized for leaving the country to attend a Formula One (F1) racing event amid a calamity. This needs context. This particular F1 grand prix event in Singapore was held in October 2022.
Published on July 25, an FB page published the post with the caption: “Aaaaay na post. Sori na (Oops, I posted it. Sorry!).” A screenshot of an article in the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times, bore the headline:
“President Marcos under fire for S’pore F1 trip as Filipinos reel from typhoon”
Some FB users on the comments section of the post believed the article was newly published and denounced Marcos for his “lack of concern” as parts of the country were submerged in floodwaters spawned by monsoon rains intensified by Typhoon Carina.
The FB page that posted it did not clarify that the Straits Times article was published in October 2022. Marcos then flew to Singapore to watch the Formula One Grand Prix a few days after Super Typhoon Karding hit the country.
Marcos remained in the country while severe monsoon rainstorms flooded some regions last week. He was seen visiting evacuation centers to give relief aid and conducting aerial inspections of the damage.
This post emerged a day after Vice President Sara Duterte caught flak for leaving the country for Germany with her family while some provinces were placed under a state of calamity.
FB page Pebbles Talakera (created on Jan. 7, 2023) published the post, garnering over 1,300 reactions, 280 comments and 210 shares.
