Archive - FACT CHECK

A video falsely claims that the Indonesian government sunk 60 Chinese ships that were fishing in their territory last March 29. 

On March 29, Sen. Francis Tolentino said he had “accepted the proposal” to be counsel of his colleague, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

A video misleadingly insinuates that the general Filipino public can start receiving their pensions as early as 40 years old.

A video on FB is erroneously claiming that a cutter vessel of the United States Coast Guard fired at two Chinese ships for allegedly blocking the superpower’s vessel from entering the West Philippine Sea.

Two Filipino Facebook users shared TikTok videos allegedly showing Celine Dion on her deathbed. The woman in the video is not the Canadian singer. 

The MBC and FINEX did not explicitly say they are against amending the economic provisions of the Constitution. However, they opposed the mode preferred by the House to introduce amendments, emphasizing the high cost of constituting a Con-con and the timing to do it.

A Filipino Facebook page falsely claimed that the Indonesian navy has blown up a Chinese vessel illegally fishing in their country’s waters.

Four FB pages claimed that dozens of people fainted while buying Japanese mini air conditioners in Pasay. These rehashed claims from a previous scam modus are fake.

An old video of a German frigate is being passed off as a new clip showing a ship from Germany that just arrived in Mindanao. This is false.

Sasagutin ng VERA Files reporters at editors ang pito sa mga karaniwang tanong tungkol sa fact checking.

Only the government’s request to suspend the resumption of the drug war probe was junked by the ICC Appeals Chamber on March 27.

A video falsely claims that President Bongbong Marcos appointed SAGIP partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta as agriculture secretary. 

A video claims that Chinese ships were chased off by a Japanese submarine in the South China Sea. This has no basis.

A video falsely passed off an old photo to claim that the Philippine Coast Guard fired water cannons at Chinese boats in the West Philippine Sea.

The ICC retains jurisdiction over any crimes that occurred in the Philippines when it was still a state party from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019.

A scam website is peddling a product called Dianorm supposedly developed by cardiologist Doc Willie Ong that can cure blood pressure-related conditions. 

A person with an unhealthy lifestyle is more likely to suffer from heat stroke, an alternative medicine practitioner claimed in a Facebook (FB) Reel. This needs context as there are other factors that increase the risk of body overheating.

Red-tagging is the “vilification, labeling or guilt by association” involving “the characterization of most groups on the left of the political spectrum as “front organizations” for armed groups whose aim is to destroy democracy.”

Another scam is targeting netizens, this time claiming fast food giant Jollibee is hosting a “lucky draw” for P7,000 in line with its “44th anniversary.” The links, circulating on Facebook (FB) and FB Messenger, lead to bogus websites.

Two Facebook (FB) reels claiming that God has appeared to mankind though an image of Jesus Christ behind the clouds has gone viral two weeks ahead of Holy Week. These are fake.

A video posted on YouTube and Facebook (FB) presented as “breaking news” footage of the alleged presence of 200 Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea and actions taken by the United States’ (U.S.) against the threat.

A YouTube video falsely passed off old clips of armored fighting vehicles to claim that the United States (U.S.) gave “for free” 1,000 military tanks to the Philippines. The U.S. has made no such donation.

UP Sociology Professor Filomin Gutierrez said the hyper masculine culture in fraternities risk[s] adopting practices such as harsh, physical, mental and emotional testing that can lead to deaths, incarceration, and injuries.

While Marcos is correct that well-milled rice can be bought at P25 per kilo, he stopped short of saying that this is available only at the Kadiwa stores managed by the National Food Authority.

A video uploaded March 19 on YouTube and Facebook (FB) falsely implied that China and Australia had a military confrontation, and that Indonesian forces are training with Filipinos to prepare for war.

A video on Facebook (FB) claimed that the United States (U.S.) and the Philippines are planning to strike a Chinese vessel sailing on the West Philippine Sea in a “joint operation” that will involve 17,000 troops. This is misleading.

The figures are referring only to gross borrowings or new debt that the government has incurred.

A video of a South African frigate escorted by a helicopter is being passed off as a gift from Russia that has “arrived in Mindanao.” This is false. Russia has not sent any vessel to the  Philippines and the two have no warship supply agreement.

Facebook posts claim to give away 500 Philips LatteGo4300 coffee machines and ask netizens to join the raffle by giving their personal information and paying a participation fee of P110. The posts are fake.  

A video on Facebook is claiming to show footage of the execution of the first Filipino who received the death penalty. Not true. The video is actually from a movie scene.