Archive - FACT CHECK

During the 136th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva last Oct. 11, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla reiterated the government’s position that the International Criminal Court (ICC) “has ceased having jurisdiction” over the Philippines. This lacks context.

Two videos on Facebook (FB) and YouTube have insinuated that Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile has ordered the arrest of Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel and BAYAN secretary-general Renato Reyes.

A Facebook group pretending to be a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) account is asking netizens to register with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) through an impostor account. 

A video uploaded by a Facebook (FB) page claims news organizations have not reported on the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR). Not true.

A graphic claims that supporters of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rescued a drunk and unconscious supporter of former vice president Leni Robredo. This is false. 

A headline of a YouTube video claims that Sen. Imee Marcos recently revealed the identity of a traitor in Malacañang. Not true.

In a new department order, Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio backtracks on her earlier directive by allowing private schools to continue holding full distance or blended learning after Nov. 2.

A video uploaded on YouTube and Facebook (FB) falsely claimed that Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo favors the scrapping of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) law if it is found ineffective in alleviating poverty. 

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri has backtracked on his announcement that China had placed the Philippines on its blacklist of tourism destinations ”because of the problem with POGOs [Philippine offshore gaming operators].”

During the 136th session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva on Oct. 10, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla justified red-tagging by government of critics who they believe to be sympathetic to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA). This is misleading.

In a briefing with reporters, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos blamed the strong dollar for the weakening of the peso, noting that the Philippines is not the only country experiencing currency depreciation. This needs context.

The video showed no evidence of Manuel being jailed. There are also no official reports about Marcos Jr. or Remulla taking action or filing a case to put Manuel behind bars. 

A video of slain journalist Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa, where he appears to be expressing support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, is misleading netizens. Lapid did not say he was a “solid supporter” of Marcos in the video. What he said was if he had to choose, he would opt for a Marcos presidency over another Duterte presidency.

A Facebook (FB) Reel falsely claimed that President Ferdinand Marcos claimed interest from the World Bank. It is not a commercial bank that accepts deposits, which earn interest based on a deposit interest rate that an individual or entity can withdraw.

A graphic announcing the National Police Commission (Napolcom) entrance examination and online registration dates for police recruits is making the rounds on Facebook. It is false. 

A Filipino Facebook page gave false context for two images used to promote a Japanese foot massage mat. It also provided a bogus link for the online delivery of the said product. 

In its 2021 audit report, COA ordered NYC to refund certain amounts of unauthorized or unsubstantiated prepaid load cards as well as irregular and unnecessary expenditures. It had previously issued notices of disallowance after flagging excessive claims of travel and meals in 2018 and “expenses not in accordance with existing government rules and regulations” in 2019.

The so-called Marcos wealth was not part of the agenda when Biden and Marcos Jr. met up in New York last month.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, concurrently the Education secretary, has issued Department Order No. 034 dated July 11, 2022, mandating full face-to-face classes in all public and private schools starting Nov. 2.

More than two weeks after announcing his resignation as executive secretary, lawyer Victor Rodriguez backtracked on his statement that he would continue serving the country as presidential chief of staff.

A vlogger claimed that the “Marcos wealth” will be used to fund the new administration’s  Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino program. This is false. Posted on Oct. 2, the incorrect four-minute Facebook (FB) video carried the caption:  “Goodnews! Marcos Wealth ipopondo na para sa sambayanang Pilipino! 6M units pabahay ni PBBM nag-umpisa na (Marcos Wealth

Four previously debunked hoaxes about the wealth and criminal cases of the Marcos family are again making the rounds on social media.

A misleading video claims President Bongbong Marcos surprised Chinese President Xi Jinping by conducting joint military exercises with the U.S.

A video on YouTube claims that former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño and BAYAN sec-gen Nato Reyes have been apprehended by the PNP. Not true.

A TikTok video wrongly claims former vice president Leni Robredo made a simplistic definition of climate change.

Videos are erroneously claiming that the wealth of the Marcoses will be used to fund the projects of President Bongbong Marcos' administration.

A viral video falsely claims President Bongbong Marcos expressed support for TV host Vhong Navarro who is embroiled in a rape case. 

A video claims President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the wealthiest among all the “presidents and kings in the world.” This is false.

Old, foreign photos are being misrepresented to show 'gifts' President Bongbong Marcos received from Singapore, Japan, and the United States. 

A netizen uploaded a short reel showing a crowd of spectators looking at a monstrous cobra rising out of a body of water. The video is fake.