Third of four parts
With the overseas absentee voting set to begin on April 10, registered Filipino voters all over the world will be casting their ballots for the country’s next set of officials, including the 17th president, and determine the course of the nation’s progress in the coming years.
In this four-part series, VERA Files Fact Check compiled relevant information about six of the top candidates vying for Malacañang, and their respective vice presidential bets, to help voters make the ultimate decision.
Grouped alphabetically, each profile contains a summary of the candidates’ main platform, experience in public office or field of expertise, issues and controversies faced, relatives in government, and other interesting facts.
Likewise listed are previous fact checks of the candidate done by VERA Files Fact Check and its media and academic partners in the Tsek.ph collaboration.
(See VERA FILES FACT SHEET: Who among the 2022 hopefuls have spread misinformation)
Part 3 of this series includes three vice presidential bets, namely, BUHAY Party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr., former Akbayan representative Walden Bello, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte
Scroll down to know more about the candidates:
Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr.
Walden Bello
Sara Duterte
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Sources
Atienza
- House of Representatives official website, photo of Lito Atienza, Accessed March 23, 2022
- GMA News official YouTube channel, Ikaw Na Ba? The Vice Presidential Interviews on DZBB | Lito Atienza – Replay, Feb. 1, 2022
Government Experience
- Lito Atienza official website, Jose “Lito” Livioko Atienza background, Accessed March 18, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, HOUSE NAMES 3 NEW DEPUTY SPEAKERS, OTHER OFFICIALS, Nov. 18, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, Solons want RH Law repealed, Feb. 23, 2015
- Official Gazette official website, Republic Act No. 10354, Dec. 21, 2012
- House of Representatives official website, House Members voice support for President Duterte’s legislative agenda as spelled out in SONA, July 23, 2019
- ABS-CBN News official YouTube channel, On The Spot | TeleRadyo (21 January 2022), Jan. 21, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, Lawmakers deliberate on proposed creation of Department of Culture, Aug. 14, 2019
- Inquirer reporter Neil Arwin Mercado on Twitter, “Atienza tells Teleradyo: Kapag yung lalaki ay nagdadalang tao na at nanganganak, magbabago ako ng aking pananaw kasi ibig sabihin, nagbago na ang natural law.” , Jan. 21, 2022
- CNN Philippines official Twitter account Atienza: SOGIE bill discriminates against the majority of our people, imposing on them what they cannot accept, Sept. 12, 2019
- Reportr.world, Lito Atienza on Same-Sex Marriage, When Men get Pregnant, Jan. 21, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, BUHAY Rep. Atienza calls for more transparency in the conduct of proceedings of both Houses of Congress, March 5, 2014
- Lito Atienza official Facebook page, Magsalita ka na Abad…, July 11, 2014
- House of Representatives official website, House Resolution No. 157 (16th Congress), Aug. 5, 2013
- Department of Budget and Management official website, THE END OF PORK AS WE KNOW IT, Accessed March 21, 2022
- Department of Budget and Management official website, The Aftermath of the DAP, Accessed March 21, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, Independent bloc seeks tax exemption of athletes’ awards and prizes, Jan. 28, 2014
- Supreme Court E-library official website, GR No. 213394, April 6, 2016
- Presidential Communications Operations Office official website, Pangandaman, Atienzaand 10 partylist member take oath of office before PGMA, July 31, 2007
- Official Gazette official website, Masterlist of cabinet secretaries/ministers, Accessed March 21, 2022
- Supreme Court E-library official website, G.R. No. 156052, Feb. 13, 2008
- National Commission for Culture and the Arts official website, In Focus: Getting Our Heritage to Survive the Ages – National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Sept. 15, 2003
- Inquirer.net, A paved forest? ‘Redevelopment’ of Arroceros park questioned, Nov. 21, 2021
- Philstar.com, Atienza asks Roco to keep his hands off Arroceros Park, Jan. 28, 2003
- Reuters, INTERVIEW-Philippines vows beauty over building in tourism drive, Jan. 17, 2008
- Center for Reproductive Rights official website, Legal Action Readied Against Ex-Mayor Atienza, Sept. 29, 2007
- Commission on Human Rights official website, EO NO. 003: DISCRIMINATORY OR RIGHTS BASED?, Accessed March 25, 2022
- House of Representatives official website, ROSTER of Philippine Legislators (from 1907 to 2019), Accessed March 25, 2022
Issues and controversies
- Supreme Court E-library official website, G.R. No. 188920, Feb. 16, 2010
- Senate of the Philippines official website, Press Release – Drilon says Atienza, Defensor, et al. deemed resigned from Liberal Party, March 17, 2006
- UPLB Babaylan official Twitter account, Equality means making the same choices available to all. , Jan. 11, 2022
- Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen official Twitter account, So it will not make sense…, Jan. 11, 2022
- Senate of the Philippines official website, NBN-ZTE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, Accessed March 25, 2022
- Department of Justice official website, SECRETARY DE LIMA CONDEMNS ATTY. GATDULA’S ATTEMPT TO EXPLOIT AND ABUSE THE EXTRAORDINARY REMEDY OF THE WRIT OF AMPARO, Feb. 28, 2012
- Supreme Court official website, G.R. Nos. 184379-8, April 24, 2012
- Supreme Court official website, G.R. No. 175241, Feb. 24, 2010
- GMA News Online, Atienza says 2011 plunder complaint ‘no longer in my consciousness’, Feb. 1, 2022
- Manila Times, Atienza faces plunder case, April 11, 20111
Family members in government
Hermenegildo L. Atienza
- The Philippine Star, GMA urges Liberal Party to start ‘new politics’ , Oct. 9, 2022
- Lito Atienza official Facebook page, An old photo with my Papa, Don Pepe Atienza, and with my Uncle Hermie who also served as Manila Mayor and Congressman. Papa was the pioneering head…, June 21, 2015
- House of Representatives official website, ROSTER of Philippine Legislators (from 1907 to 2019), Accessed March 25, 2022
Kim Atienza
- Kim Atienza official Instagram account, (photo of Kim Atienza), March 14, 2022
- GMA Network, (photo of Kim Atienza), Accessed March 28, 2022
- ABS-CBN News, Kim Atienza won’t go into politics anymore, March 25, 2011
- GMA Network, Meet the #KuyaNgBayan, Kim Atienza!, Oct. 4, 2021
Maile Atienza
- Maile atienza official Facebook account, (photo of Maile Atienza), Feb. 5, 20167
- Lito Atienza official website, Family, Accessed March 25, 2022
- Philstar.com, Maile, the Silent Atienza., April 13, 2019
- Maile Atienza sa Ika-3 Distrito ng Maynila official Facebook page, I have officially taken my oath, June 30, 2016
- Arnold “Ali” Atienza official Facebook account, At comelec filed certificate of candidacy…, Oct. 15, 2015
Arnold “Ali” Atienza
- Department of Information and Communications Technology official website, (photo of Ali Atienza), Accessed March 25, 2022
- Lito Atienza official website, Family, Accessed March 25, 2022
- Department of Information and Communications Technology official website, Officials, Accessed March 25, 2022
Daniel Nikko L. Atienza
- Daniel Nikko L. Atienza official Facebook page, (photo of Daniel Nikko Atienza), Oct. 23, 2021
- Arnold “Ali” Atienza, ”Happy birthday to my eldest son Kag Nikko…, Aug. 10, 2020
- Brgy. 807, Manila Barangay Captain Basia Bartolome Boliche, (photo with Nikko and other officials), Nov. 4, 2021
Rigoberto J. Atienza
- Philippine Veterans Affairs Office official website, Today, 8 October 2016, is the 50th General Rigoberto Atienza Day…, Oct. 8, 2016
- Lito Atienza official website, Family, Accessed March 25, 2022
- Official Gazette official website, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Accessed March 25, 2022
Jose J. Atienza Sr
- Lito Atienza official website, Family, Accessed March 25, 2022
- Inquirer.net, Late president Quirino, ex-mayor remembered at Manila South Cemetery, Oct. 31, 2019
- Lito Atienza official Facebook page, An old photo with my Papa, Don Pepe Atienza, and with my Uncle Hermie who also served as Manila Mayor and Congressman. Papa was the pioneering head…, June 21, 2015
Interesting facts
- Lito Atienza official Facebook page, The last among the notable survivors…, Aug. 21, 2021
- Business Mirror, Miranda bombing: Beyond the scars, Aug. 21, 2022
- Lito Atienza official Facebook page, (Maynila), Nov. 29, 2016
Commission on Elections, Ballot face for overseas voting for the 2022 elections, Accessed March 25, 2022
Bello
- Commission on Elections, List of Candidates
- waldenbello.org, About Walden
- ABS-CBN News, Ex-Davao City PIO Tupas files cyberlibel complaint vs Walden Bello | ABS-CBN News, March 7, 2022
- Mindanews, Tupas files cyberlibel complaint vs VP bet Walden Bello; seeks 10-M pesos for damages, March 8, 2022
- CNN Philippines, Ex-Davao City chief info officer files cyber libel complaint vs Walden Bello, March 7, 2022
- Walden Bello Official Facebook Page, Press Conference: Response to Sara Duterte and Bongbong Marcos camps, March 1, 2022
- ABS-CBN News, Halalan 2016
- GMA News, Election Results (Philippines) | Eleksyon 2016
- Sunstar, Walden Bello ‘persona non grata’ in Davao City, March 22, 2022
- ABS-CBN News, Davao City gov’t declares Walden Bello persona non grata | ABS-CBN News, March 22, 2022
- PhilStar.com, Walden Bello ‘persona non grata’ in Davao City over drugs, corruption comments, March 22, 2022
- PLM – Partido Lakas ng Masa Facebook Page, Profile of Dr. Walden Bello, candidate for the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines, Oct. 19, 2015
- ABS-CBN News, Why I resigned as Akbayan’s rep in Congress, June 12, 2015
Duterte
- Inday Sara Duterte Official YouTube channel, Metro Manila Virtual Caravan with Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, Jan 18, 2022
- Davao City Official Website, Mayor’s Gallery, Accessed on March 24, 2022
- CNN Philippines, First Daughter Sara Duterte gets CA’s nod as Army reserve force colonel, March 11, 2020
- ABS-CBN News, Colonel Inday Sara faces Commission on Appointments, March 11, 2020
- Inquirer.net, LOOK: Mayor Sara Duterte at Senate for confirmation as AFP Reserve Force colonel, March 11, 2020
- ABS-CBN News, Disbarment case filed vs Duterte, July 10, 2011
- SunStar, Sheriffs file 2nd disbarment case vs Sara Duterte, Feb. 6, 2013
- The Philippine Star, Duterte reprimanded for assault on sheriff, July 26, 2012
- ANC 24/7 Official YouTube Channel, Duterte punches court sheriff amid demolition ops in Davao City | ANC, July 1, 2011
- Presidential Communications Operations Office, Speech of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the concluding ceremonies of the 44th Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E;), Oct. 18, 2018
- House of Representatives, ROSTER of Philippine Legislators (from 1907 to 2019), Accessed on March 21, 2022
- Presidential Communications Operations Office, President Aquino kicks off 2013 Meetings, Incentives Travel Conventions and Exhibitions/Events Convention in Davao City, March 7, 2013
- Pulongduterte.com, The Congressman, Accessed on March 24, 2022
- House of Representatives, Hon. Duterte, Paolo Z., Accessed on March 24, 2022
- Commission on Elections, Certified List of Candidates – Davao del Sur – City of Davao, Accessed on March 24, 2022
- Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte Official Facebook Page, Posts, Accessed on March 24, 2022
- Rappler, ‘Philandering’ Rodrigo Duterte cause of marriage annulment, July 28, 2015
- ABS-CBN News, Duterte ‘seldom feels guilt, sorry’ – psych report, April 19, 2016
- The Independent, Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte mental health assessment reveals tendency to ‘violate rights and feelings’, Oct. 12, 2016
- Rappler, Presidential son-in-law: Who is Manases Carpio?, Sept. 6, 2017
- Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, The Dutertes: Wealth Reveal & Riddles (1). Law firm not registered, some biz interests not disclosed, lender gets rice import deal, April 3, 2019
- ABS-CBN News, ‘Desperate rumor’: Duterte son-in-law explains Customs visit, Aug. 29, 2017
- Vote Pilipinas, Duterte, Sara, Accessed on March 24, 2022
- Philippine Information Agency, Davao mayor is new RDC XI chair, Dec. 14, 2010
- Philstar.com, Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago bares senatorial line-up, Aug. 17, 2018
- Philippine News Agency, Duterte, 6.2K officials back Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Aug. 18, 2018
- Inquirer.net, Sara Duterte, Imee Marcos forge 9-party alliance, Aug. 14, 2018
- Supreme Court of the Philippines, DUTERTE, SARA Z., Accessed on March 24, 2022
(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.)
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