Archive - Claims by Public Figures

In his inaugural speech on June 30, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. claimed to have the biggest electoral mandate in Philippine history. This needs context.

Data from the Department of Health COVID-19 vaccination dashboard shows that this target had been achieved with 70,147,235 Filipinos completing their primary vaccine series, but only after several adjustments since vaccination in the country began on March 1, 2021.

In a June 20 press conference, then-president elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. claimed that Vietnam and Thailand imposed a ban on their rice exports. It is false.

Duterte moved the goal posts for his anti-corruption crusade, four years into his presidency.

Three days before stepping down, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to using his powers as chief executive to turn lawmakers against ABS-CBN. This was contrary to earlier claims that he did not interfere in the non-renewal of the broadcasting network’s legislative franchise.

Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) made a misleading claim that the Supreme Court had ruled that “there is no danger to life, liberty and security when you are identified as a member of the CPP NPA NDF.”

Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that two “Dutertes” will sit as president and vice president of the country for 11 days due to the unprecedented early inauguration of his daughter, vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, is misleading.

Outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte once again understated his salary as the end of his six-year term this June nears. It is at least the sixth time he has done so, based on VERA Files Fact Check’s count.

The claim of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte that the country is no longer a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) needs context.

Contrary to a March 4 statement of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urging Russia “to respect Ukraine’s freedom,” incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos said the Philippines should remain “neutral” in the ongoing war.

Outgoing Sorsogon Governor Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who is returning to the Senate for a third term, wrongly claimed that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is one of the two poorest regions in the Philippines.

Sen. Imee Marcos, older sister of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., claimed that no child went hungry during the 20-year regime of her late father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., because of Nutribun.Marcos’ statement is false.