On July 27, President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his penultimate State of the Nation Address (SONA), lasting approximately an hour and 40 minutes.
For the fourth year in a row, VERA Files monitored real-time the president’s claims about his administration’s achievements—this time, in the face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Here’s a roundup of our live fact checking.
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VERA FILES FAST FACTS #SONA2020
President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his fifth SONA in an hour. We will be fact-checking it live. Follow us for updates.
#VERAfied #factcheckph
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
VERA FILES FAST FACTS #SONA2020
The annual delivery of the SONA started in 1935 during the Commonwealth of the…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
VERA FILES FAST FACTS #SONA2020
President Duterte’s SONA 2020 will be the 82nd SONA to be delivered by a Philippine president since 1935.
#VERAfied #factcheckph
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
VERA FILES FAST FACTS #SONA2020
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has said the president would likely talk about…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
VERA FILES FAST FACTS #SONA2020
The Palace has confirmed that Duterte will push through with the initial plan to…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “The Malasakit centers Act has proven to be a big help to the less fortunate citizens, needing medical…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “The vaccine is around the corner. Soon, the virus will be laid to rest.”
Context: President Rodrigo…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: I welcome the passage of the law postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. The postponement…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Under the Social Amelioration Program, we allotted 2.5 billion [garbled] for poor and low-income households…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “We initially encountered difficulties ramping up our testing capacity. We now have 93 accredited testing…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Until a COVID-19 vaccine is available, I will not allow the traditional face-to-face teaching or learning…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Media is a powerful tool in the hands of oligarchs like the Lopezes who use their media outlets in their…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “In 2021, we aim to increase access to healthcare services by continuously hiring and deploying more than…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Sa mga kababayan ko na naghihirap sa ibang bansa, nandito lang ang inyong gobyerno para matulungan kayo,…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “I issued AO 18 directing concerned agencies to strengthen the development of special economic zones in areas…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “We have accomplished significant infrastructure projects under the Build, Build, Build program. I will not…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “I reiterate the swift passage of a law reviving the death penalty by lethal injection on crimes specified…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “About four days ago, I made a plea to President Xi Jinping that if they have the vaccine, can they allow us…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “I read a little over three weeks ago, or last month, that the Americans intend to go back to Subic. I’ll…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “China is claiming it. We are claiming it. China has the arms. We do not have it. So, it’s simple as that….
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “There is a need to adjust the pension system which will be applicable only to the newly hired uniformed…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “The Office of the President worked closely with Congress for the quick passage of the Bayanihan to Heal as…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “The government will intensify its efforts to help businesses especially micro, small, and medium enterprises…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “There are tribes in the Middle East which allow rape as part of the territory of being a…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “We need to adjust and adapt to paperless type of business and performance. We need e-governance to the…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “No nation on Earth was prepared for COVID. No amount of preparation because that kind of [disease] visits…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “We must utilize the coconut levy for the benefit and development of our coconut industry.”
Context: All new…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “My administration has always believed that freedom from illegal drugs, terrorism, corruption, and…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “To realize the maximum benefit from the country’s investments, the infrastructure projects under the Build,…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “We have seen a remarkable emergence of the [Boracay] island back to its former glory. I want this sustained….
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “I emphasize the creation of the Department of Disaster Resilience and our people’s safety cannot be…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “I reiterate the need for the passage of the National Land Use Act, which has been pending for…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Sabi mo na dynasty, dynasty. You are a hypocrite. You know you can’t pass an anti-dynasty law. Ikaw yung…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: Certain sectors expressed concerns when I declared martial law in Mindanao and its extension three times. But…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “Education that is delayed can be recovered. We must implement online learning, modular learning, and TV- and…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “The responsible extraction and equitable distribution of natural resources remain among my…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
Statement: “In support of the learning continuity program through blended learning, we plan to increase the number of…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “The dealers and purveyors of illegal drugs, hiding in the shadow of COVID-19, have stepped up their…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “We need to provide interventions and implement the Barangay Development Program … This refers to a program…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
STATEMENT: “We must patrol the country’s cyberspace and enforce online consumer and data protection and privacy laws. We…
Posted by Vera Files on Monday, July 27, 2020
(Guided by the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network at Poynter, VERA Files tracks the false claims, flip-flops, misleading statements of public officials and figures, and debunks them with factual evidence. Find out more about this initiative and our methodology.)
