A quote card supposedly from a lawmaker saying he voted in favor of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment in exchange for ayuda funds is circulating online. This is fabricated.
On Feb. 5, a Facebook (FB) page posted the quote card bearing a photo of Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan. A reader also asked VERA Files Misinformation Tip Line to verify the circulating statement.
Suan supposedly said:
“After posting the names of those who voted YES to impeach VP Sara, I received many messages from friends and relatives asking why. To save time, I’m addressing it here.
I voted YES because it was the right thing to do. VP Sara and her family must be held accountable for their wrongdoings. I admit, I once supported the Dutertes, but Speaker Romualdez and President Bongbong opened my eyes. The truth is clear — the Dutertes were just using us. They are not the good leaders we once believed them to be.
To my supporters, I know you stand with me. Rest assured, the AYUDA is coming. After we voted YES, Speaker Romualdez provided additional budget, allowing us to give even more assistance to the people.
This is just the beginning. Accountability and real service will continue. I stand by my decision.”
This is fake. Suan did not issue such a statement. In a Feb. 6. FB post, the congressman disowned the circulating quote card and dismissed it as “fake news and black propaganda.”
“Yes, I voted yes to the impeachment. I voted for accountability, and not against any individual. My vote was not a personal attack against VP Sara,” Suan clarified.
Last year, Suan also flagged the source, claiming to be his “fan page,” for similarly spreading fabricated statements attributed to him.
The now-viral fake statement was posted a day after 215 members of the House, including Suan, signed the impeachment complaint against Duterte. The complaint has been transmitted to the Senate, which will tackle the complaint once it resumes session on June 2.
VERA Files has debunked other fabricated statements attributed to politicians and government officials.
The post by the FB page The Working Congressman (created on Oct. 20, 2024) garnered 104,000 reactions and 48,000 shares. The quote card has since been circulated by other FB users, pages and groups.
