Several pro-Duterte Facebook pages and a website are spreading similar claims that President Ferdinand Marcos has resigned and will be replaced by Vice President Sara Duterte amid the budget insertion scandal. This is false.
On Nov. 16, at least three FB pages and one website spread similar claims of Marcos’ supposed stepping down from office. One of the posts bore the following text:
“Nagkagulo na! Ikinanta lahat ni [Z]aldy Co ang mga utos ni BBM – bakit lahat ng mataas na opisyal tumakas? VP Sara, papalitan na si BBM ngayong Nov. 17
(It’s getting chaotic! Zaldy Co has revealed all of Marcos’ orders – why are high-ranking officials escaping? Vice President Sara will replace Marcos this Nov. 17)”
One of the posts also attached an image of Marcos holding a supposed resignation letter, with a superimposed text that read: “Marcos sibak na! Sa wakas! VP Sara, uupo na sa palasyo (Marcos has been fired! At last! VP Sara will take his place at the [Malacañang] Palace).”
These claims are false. Marcos still remains as the country’s head of state.
No announcement from the Presidential Communications Office has been made about such a decision. Marcos is also not facing any impeachment efforts to oust him.
In a Nov. 18 media briefing, Palace Press Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the president’s resignation is “not an option” despite calls from supporters of Duterte, adding that these are just “noise.”
“Ang Pangulo ay matapang na haharapin kung anuman ang suliranin ng bansa at silang mga nag-iingay, sila ay ingay lamang,” she said.
These false claims of Marcos’ so-called stepping down from office continue to circulate after his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, urged him to resign, adding that his alleged cocaine dependency has affected his governance resulting in corruption and poor decision-making.
FB pages Dingmar’s Happy House (created on July 16, 2024), Duterte Active Supporters (Nov. 14, 2017), Tatay Digong – unofficial (Sept. 21, 2016) and Website newsjer.com spread the false claim, collectively garnering over 1,600 reactions, 540 comments and 210 shares.
