A video claimed that Sen. Risa Hontiveros called President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lutang (spaced out). This is misleading. The senator used the term to describe the hasty passage of the Maharlika Fund bill, and was not referring to the president.
In a video dated May 29, pro-Marcos vlogger Coach Jarret (real name: Jarret Pulido) claimed on Facebook (FB) and YouTube:
“Tinawag na lutang ni Risa Hontiveros si PBBM sa kanyang press release tungkol sa Maharlika fund (In a press release about the Maharlika fund, [Sen.] Risa Hontiveros called [Marcos] spaced out). ”
The video appeared three days after the senator used the term lutang (vague) in a May 26 press release to criticize Marcos’ certification of Senate Bill (SB) No. 2020 or the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill as urgent.
Hontiveros questioned the push to railroad the MIF bill’s passage, arguing that the measure is vague because it does not specify who will benefit from it.
“Masyadong baluktot at lutang ang mga dahilan kung bakit kailangang madaliin ang pagpasa ng Maharlika Fund (The justification for the immediate passage of the Maharlika Fund is too convoluted and vague),” she said.
In this context, the Filipino word “lutang” means “vague.” Nowhere in the press statement does Hontiveros call Marcos “lutang” or someone disoriented or spaced out, as falsely implied in the video.
The approved Senate bill was adopted by the House of Representatives and is now awaiting Marcos’ signature.
The Fund is an investment vehicle that the government hopes will earn income and promote economic development. Its initial funds will be drawn from state-owned corporations and financial institutions.
The misleading video got a total of 31,542 interactions on FB and 23,910 interactions on YouTube.
Coach Jarret’s FB page was created on May 22, 2019, and his YouTube channel on Oct. 4, 2018.
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