Another version of a fabricated quote card with Vice President Leni Robredo advising the public to “suck in their cough” to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is circulating online.
From March 12 to 17, netizens uploaded on Facebook (FB) a graphic showing Robredo dressed in a white collared shirt holding a microphone, and in the same frame, text that read: “Dapat pag umubo, sana pahigop… para di na kumalat pa… (If you’re going to cough, you should suck it in… to prevent its spread…).”
The posts indicate Robredo made the statement on March 12, and the logo of news media News5 can be seen at the top right corner of the graphic.
The graphic is a manipulated copy of a March 12 post by News5 on its official Facebook page. The original post quoted Robredo urging the public to not hoard alcohol; it read:
“Ang bawat bote ng alkohol na iniimbak natin at di nagagamit ay isang boteng ipinagkakait natin sa ating mga kapitbahay. Sa huli, kung magkasakit sila, lahat tayo madadamay, gaano man karami ang maiimbak nating mga gamit o pagkain. (Every bottle of alcohol we hoard and do not use is one bottle that we’re taking from our neighbors. In the end, if they get sick, we will all be vulnerable to the disease no matter how much goods or food we take stock).”
The fabricated quote card was also debunked by News5 on March 16, saying it was being “used to spread wrong information.” It also warned the public against sharing the post.
VERA Files Fact Check flagged a similar fake quote card this week with Robredo giving senseless information about proper respiratory hygiene and quarantine practices but its producers photoshopped a GMA News Online graphic. (SEE: VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Robredo quote on ‘sucking in’ cough to prevent virus spread NOT TRUE)
The fake posts started to surface the same day Robredo gave a statement via her official Facebook page advising the public on what to do regarding the rise of detected COVID-19 cases in the country. The Department of Health has announced there are 230 confirmed domestic cases as of March 20.
The fake posts have been re-shared over 2,000 times.
(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
