Website Express Balita (expressbalita.online) rehashed an old, misleading report claiming in its headline that Filipinos can now get government-issued documents for free because of a “new law” signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Nov. 23 story’s headline, “Good News! NBI Clearance, TIN, Birth Certificate, Libre na! (Good News! NBI Clearance, TIN, Birth Certificate, Now free!),” does not match its body, which explains that the waiving of fees is only applicable for first-time jobseekers.
This is not the first time such a report, which has raked in at least 3,700 interactions since publication, misled local Facebook (FB) users. Similar stories posted by three other websites were debunked by VERA Files Fact Check this February, while a Facebook post version also circulated in August 2019.
Its newest iteration came following a fresh wave of criticism directed at President Rodrigo Duterte for his response to the string of typhoons that recently hit the country.
The hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo went trending on social media at least twice this month, first as he missed the first government response briefing for typhoon Rolly, and again as Typhoon Ulysses swept across Luzon.
Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11261, or the First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act, back in April 2019, and its implementing rules and regulations were approved the following July.
It instructs government agencies and offices to “not collect fees and charges from a first time jobseeker” who wants to obtain “licenses, proofs of identification, clearances, and certificates or other documents” required for his/her application for employment.
The law waives the fees for the following government-issued documents:
- Police clearance certificate
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance
- Barangay clearance
- Medical certificate from a public hospital
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Transcript of academic records issued by state colleges and universities
- Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) card
- Other documentary requirements issued by the government that may be required by employers for job applicants
Express Balita’s report failed to mention that one should first acquire a barangay certification proving that he or she is a first-time jobseeker, before he or she could benefit from the waiving of fees.
Express Balita also used an outdated photo of Duterte signing a document. A reverse image search revealed that the image was lifted from a Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) photo gallery featuring Duterte as he signed the 2019 General Appropriations Act on April 15 last year.
Express Balita’s report could have reached around 278,000 social media users, according to social media tool CrowdTangle. Its top traffic generators are pages Tatay Digong, Duterte Newsfeed, and Duterte – Good News.
The website was created just last Aug. 23.
(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
