A Facebook (FB) page claimed that Dr. Emil Q. Javier, a national scientist who specializes in plant genetics and agronomy, is endorsing a fertilizer brand named Super Seed Organic Fertilizer. This is fake.
The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Philippines said Dr. Javier is not associated with the brand.
In a statement on FB published Aug. 2, the NAST said the circulating post was fabricated and that “any claims made in the post about his endorsement of this product are FALSE.”
Uploaded on Aug. 1, the scam alleged that Dr. Javier invented the product and presented it at a conference. A photo of the scientist was featured, alongside a caption stating:
“Hot News: Dr. Emil Q. Javier’s Super Seed Organic Fertilizer is Creating a Buzz in the Agriculture Industry!
Recently, at the National Conference on Agriculture and Biotechnology, National Scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier left the audience in awe with his major announcement for the farming community: his groundbreaking Super Seed Organic Fertilizer.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Javier’s Super Seed Organic Fertilizer is now officially available for purchase and is currently offered with a 50% discount!”
There was no “National Conference on Agriculture and Biotechnology” held recently. The photo of Dr. Javier used in the fake post was taken during the 49th founding anniversary celebration of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding, held last June 5.
Additionally, the ad’s publisher is an impostor of the government’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Extension program. The Philippine Rice Research Institute, which manages the program, has issued a warning against the account.
Super Seed Organic Fertilizer is not in the Department of Agriculture’s list of registered fertilizer products. As of writing, the scam ad has over 1,200 reactions, 187 comments, and 79 shares.
Social media is rife with dishonest advertising. Be careful before sharing posts and buying products sold online. VERA Files Fact Check has previously debunked similar fake posts claiming that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and agricultural scientist Romulo G. Davide were promoting the “Super Seed Organic Fertilizer Siêu Vô Hạt“.
Editor’s Note: This story was produced with the help of a University of the Philippines student writing for VERA Files as part of her internship.
