MANILA, Philippines – Following the retirement of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sheriff Abas and two other commissioners, Malacañang has yet to unveil President Rodrigo Duterte’s picks for the vacant seats in the poll body.
Without the nominations by Duterte, the new acting chairperson will be Socorro Inting, the most senior of the four remaining commissioners.
Here are some fast facts about the new elections chief who will have to keep the Comelec running while it awaits word from the Palace.
A Duterte appointee from Davao
Inting was the first personality Duterte himself introduced to the Comelec in 2018. While he picked Sheriff Abas as chairperson in 2017, Abas entered the poll body as a commissioner appointed by the late former president Benigno Aquino III.
Inting hails from Davao City, where Duterte served as mayor for over two decades prior to his successful bid for the presidency.
She studied in the Ateneo de Davao University, finishing her law degree, cum laude, in 1980.
As stated in her bio page on the Comelec website, it was in Davao City where Inting practiced law for three years before joining the government. At the time, she served as treasurer of the Davao Del Sur chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
A judiciary veteran
Inting knows the judiciary like the back of her hand.
She was first a presiding judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 63 in Makati for almost three years, before serving as presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 4 in Manila for nearly a decade.
Before her stint in the poll body, she had been an associate justice of the Court of Appeals for nine years.
She came from a family of lawyers.
Her younger brother, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, is a current Supreme Court associate justice, appointed by Duterte there in 2019.
Her daughter, Niña Ma. Socorro Inting, is a public attorney in the Public Attorney’s Office. The older Inting herself was a public attorney for seven years prior to joining the judiciary.
A silent worker
When Inting entered the Comelec in 2018, she admitted she’s not the expert in election law.
“Election law is alien to me, so I really need to study,” she told Comelec employees in May 2018. “But don’t worry, I am a fast learner.”
SAY CHEESE. Commissioner Socorro Inting poses for the cameras with then-chairperson Sheriff Abas and commissioner Rowena Guanzon during Inting’s confirmation hearing in May 2018. Photo from Comelec.
Inting is not one to represent the Comelec en banc in media interviews, leaving that job to then-commissioner Rowena Guanzon, and to some extent, then-chairman Sheriff Abas.
Working behind the scenes, she heads the Comelec’s gender and development focal point system.
In Guanzon’s retirement speech on Wednesday, she credited Inting for helping raise the budget expenditures spent by the poll body on gender-related projects.
Voted to junk two anti-Marcos petitions already
Prior to her status as acting elections chief on Thursday, February 3, Inting was still the presiding officer of the Comelec’s 2nd Division, which was assigned four cases against 2022 presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s candidacy.
After the dismissal order was released in January, the Te camp requested that all three members of the 2nd Division led by Inting inhibit from the en banc review after their decision supposedly showed “manifest bias.”
Keeping the Comelec running
While Guanzon already previously said that Inting would be acting elections chief, it was only on Thursday that Comelec spokesman James Jimenez made an announcement.
As Comelec chairperson, Inting will carry the burden of facing public outcry over the prolonged release of the ruling on Marcos’ pending cases.
The poll body’s credibility also took a big hit after Guanzon accused her younger colleague Aimee Ferolino of being influenced by a politician on the matter.
With three months away from the polls that will elect Duterte’s successor, Inting will have to keep the Comelec running, with all of its gears working, so that it would be able to meet its targets ahead of the May 9 vote. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Paulit-ulit na lamang nating naririnig na hindi naman daw napatunayang magnanakaw ang pamilya ng tumatakbo sa pagkapresidente na si Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Katunayan, sabi ng kanilang mga tagasuporta, wala pa ngang nakukulong na Marcos.
Isa itong napakalaking kasinungalingan.
Panoorin ang Tiktok explainer nina Rappler multimedia reporter Rambo Talabong at researcher-writer Jodesz Gavilan kung saan tinalakay niya ang ilang mga patunay na nagnakaw ang pamilyang Marcos, at kung bakit hindi nakukulong ang sinoman sa kanila sa kabila nito.
Bilyon-bilyon na rin ang nabawing nakaw na yaman ng mga Marcos. Pangalawa, mismong Korte Suprema na ang nagsabing ang nakaw na yaman ng mga Marcos ang nakalagay sa mga Swiss foundation.
Bakit nga ba hindi sila nakukulong hanggang ngayon? Ang napagdedesisyonan pa lamang ay ang kasong civil, at hindi kriminal. Noong panahong nagnakaw sila, wala pang batas laban sa pandarambong ng higit P50 milyon, kaya ipinasasauli na lang ang ninakaw nila.
Si Imelda Marcos, ang asawa ng diktator, ay hinatulan ng Sandigabayan noong 2008 na “guilty beyond reasonable doubt” sa pangunguwarta noong siya ay opisyal ng gobyerno. Hindi siya nakulong bilang awa umano, dahil matanda na siya – kahit na napakaraming kasing-edad niya ang nasa piitan dahil sa mas magagaan na kaso.
Basahin ang ilan pang Rappler articles tungkol sa nakaw na yaman ng mga Marcos at mga ginawa ng gobyerno para mabawi ang mga ito:
Ang Marcos Imbento, Bistado ay isang Rappler series kung saan titibagin ang mga kasinungalingan at kathang isip na bumabalot sa pamilyang Marcos at sa Martial Law. – Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – The 2022 presidential and vice presidential candidates are more than the headlines they generate.
Their campaign teams are more than the press releases they send and the political machinery they activate.
Rappler brings you a new talk show and podcast about the inner workings of the 2022 campaigns, what the candidates are like in person and behind the scenes, and how Philippine media is covering them.
Campaign Convos is hosted by Rappler’s campaign reporters covering the top presidential and VP tandems. Every week, we give you kuwentuhan, analysis, and inside information, straight from both the physical and virtual campaign trail. Through our conversations – sometimes irreverent but always relevant – we hope we help you make good choices on May 9, 2022.
This talk show and podcast is hosted by reporters Jairo Bolledo, Lian Buan, Mara Cepeda, Bea Cupin, Pia Ranada, Aika Rey, and Rambo Talabong.
The podcast version can be found on Spotify starting Friday, February 4. It features a second segment called, “And I Quote,” brief excerpts of interviews by reporters with campaign personalities and insiders.
Make Campaign Convos part of your weekly ritual until election day!
Episode 1: How candidates and their teams deal with media
The first episode of Campaign Convos will air at 7 pm on Thursday, February 3.
We assess how the candidates did in the Jessica Soho and Boy Abunda interviews that have made headlines in the past few days. But we go beyond, telling listeners about how accessible the candidates are on their own, how media-friendly their campaign teams are, and how some candidates are avoiding journalists and using social media both to control their narratives and skew truths.
The “And I Quote” segment on the podcast version features Pia Ranada’s interview with Isko Moreno’s chief of staff Let Zarcal and what he said about a “miscalculation” the Manila mayor made.
MANILA, Philippines – In every election since retired general and former defense secretary Fidel Ramos won the presidency in 1992, former soldiers and policemen have run for public office.
Some of them have won national seats. Among them is ex-national police chief Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is running for president for the second time in 2022, and retired colonel Gregorio Honasan II, who is running again for the Senate in May.
In the 2022 Philippine elections, a total of 43 ex-cops and retired soldiers are either seeking national and local posts or are being nominated by party-list organizations:
1 for president
3 for senator
10 running under party lists
2 for governor
24 for mayor
3 for vice mayor
All of them are alumni of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
Highest number from Duterte’s party
At least 10 ex-soldiers and cops are seeking reelection, while three are unopposed.
The ex-soldier running for mayor of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, is the brother of Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu. Of the three PMA graduates running for the Senate, one is a newbie in politics, retired Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, while two are attempting a comeback.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s party, PDP-Laban, has the highest number of ex-military and police officers running, with seven.
PDP is followed by Nacionalista Party, with five, and Lacson’s party, Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma, with four.
Only former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is the retired military officer running under the once-ruling Liberal Party. Honasan is running as independent.
At least six party-list groups are represented by ex-soldiers and former policemen.
Below is the complete list of former uniformed men seeking national and local posts in 2022:
For president
Panfilo Lacson PMA Matatag Class of 1971 Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma (PDR)
For senator
Guillermo Eleazar PMA Hinirang Class of 1987 PDR
Gregorio Honasan II PMA Matatag Class of 1971 Independent
Antonio Trillanes IV PMA Marilag Class of 1995 Liberal Party
For party list
4P’s Elpidio Gabriel Jr. PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986
Abante Pilipinas Mao Aplasca PMA Hinirang Class of 1987
Ako Bisdak Ernesto Enriquez PMA Maharlika Class of 1984
Kamalayan Raymundo Ferrer PMA Masikap Class of 1977
Magdalo Manuel Cabochan PMA Marilag Class of 1995
Eugene Gonzales PMA Marilag Class of 1995
Ian Luis Badecao PMA Banyuhay Class of 2002
PRAI Reynaldo Velasco PMA Matatag Class of 1971
Van Luspo PMA Makabayan Class of 1975
Getulio Napeñas Jr. PMA Sandigan Class of 1982
For governor
Kalinga Conrado Dieza Jr. PMA Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992 Partido Federal ng Pilipinas
Zambales Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. (Reelectionist) PMA Magiting Class of 1970 Sulong Zambales Party (SZP)
For mayor
Cordillera Administrative Region
Baguio City Benjamin Magalong (Reelectionist) PMA Sandigan Class of 1982 Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)
Ilocos Region
Bangui, Ilocos Norte Fidel Cimatu Jr. (Reelectionist) PMA Masikap Class of 1977 Nacionalista Party (NP)
Anda, Pangasinan Gilbert Sosa PMA Maharlika Class of 1984 Reform PH People’s Party
Lingayen, Pangasinan Leopoldo Bataoil (Reelectionist) PMA Magilas Class of 1976 National Unity Party (NUP)
Mangaldan, Pangasinan Arturo Lomibao PMA Masigasig Class of 1972 People’s Reform Party
San Fabian, Pangasinan Juvenal Azurin PMA Sanghaya Class of 2000 Aksyon Demokratiko
San Quintin, Pangasinan Nerio Ignacio PMA Makatarungan Class of 1978 Kilusang Bagong Lipunan
Cagayan Valley
Calayan, Cagayan Joseph Llopis (Reelectionist; unopposed) PMA Tanglaw-Diwa Class of 1992 NP
Lal-lo, Cagayan James Jacob PMA Maharlika Class of 1984 NP
Rizal, Cagayan Ralph Mamauag PMA Bigkis-Lahi Class of 1990 NP
Sanchez-Mira, Cagayan Abraham Bagasin PMA Matikas Class of 1983 PDP-Laban
Sta. Teresita, Cagayan Rodrigo De Gracia (Reelectionist; unopposed) PMA Sandigan Class of 1982 NP
Tuguegarao City Jefferson Soriano (Reelectionist) PMA Magilas Class of 1976 NPC
Central Luzon
Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Ricardo Padilla PMA Masikap Class of 1977 Unang Sigaw
San Antonio, Nueva Ecija Agripino Javier PMA Sandiwa Class of 1985 PDP-Laban
San Marcelino, Zambales Elmer Soria (Unopposed) PMA Sandigan Class of 1982 SZP
Calabarzon
Rodriguez, Rizal Ronnie Evangelista PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986 PDP-Laban
Bicol
Paracale, Camarines Norte Efren Yebra PMA Mapitagan Class of 1980 PDR
San Fernando, Camarines Sur Fermin Mabulo (Reelectionist) PMA Marilag Class of 1995 PDP-Laban
Magarao, Camarines Sur Ariel Bernardo PMA Mapitagan Class of 1980 PDP-Laban
Western Visayas
Sara, Iloilo Jon Aying (Reelectionist) PMA Maharlika Class of 1984 PDP-Laban
Eastern Visayas
Albuera, Leyte Louie Dagoy PMA Hinirang Class of 1987 Lakas-CMD
Tabontabon, Leyte Honorio Agnila PMA Sambisig Class of 1991 PDR
Davao Region
Hagonoy, Davao del Sur Conrado Laza PMA Makatarungan Class of 1978 Hugpong ng Pagbabago
For vice mayor
Central Luzon
San Manuel, Tarlac Benjamin Tesoro (Reelectionist) PMA Makabayan Class of 1975 NPC
Calabarzon
Rodriguez, Rizal Jun Caparas PMA Hinirang Class of 1987 PDP-Laban
Silang, Cavite Edward Carranza PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986 NUP
Claim: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is sure to have a landslide victory in the country’s 20 most vote-rich provinces in the upcoming 2022 elections, based on information from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Rating: FALSE
Facts: Comelec has not done any voter preference survey.
Why we fact-checked this: A TikTok user made the claim with an altered infographic from a Bohol Chronicle story published during the 2019 midterm polls. It has since garnered more than 11,000 likes, 1,307 comments, and 521 shares as of this writing.
Complete details
A TikTok video dated November 17, 2021, by a user named “Jc Cruz” claims that presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has secured his win in the 20 most vote-rich provinces in the Philippines in the upcoming national elections, based on information from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The TikTok user shared the supposed number of registered voters from each of the 20 provinces and the corresponding percentage of voters who would vote for Marcos.
This is false.
There are no official reports or documents to support the video’s claims about the percentage of voters who will vote for Bongbong Marcos.
It altered the infographic from a story of The Bohol Chronicle which came out in 2019 for the midterm polls that year. It cited the Comelec as the source.
Moreover, the Comelec does not conduct surveys on voters’ preference. – Lance Lim/Rappler.com
Lance Lim is a Visayas-based journalist and an awardee of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship.
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Vice President Leni Robredo showed the ultimate grace under pressure as she stood in front of one of her harshest critics who was out to test her mettle as the sole female aspirant in the 2022 presidential race.
Wearing a suit and face mask in her signature pink color, Robredo did not bat an eye even as university professor Antonio Contreras and the rest of the all-male panel from DZRH and the Manila Timesgrilled her for over two and a half hours on Wednesday, February 2.
It was a much anticipated interview, after Contreras initially claimed Robredo declined their invitation. It turned out to be just a mere scheduling issue. Robredo has always been game to face anyone – even potentially hostile interviewees.
Contreras is a known critic of Robredo. In social media conversations and online forums, users claim that this is due to an alleged family feud in their home province.
In the hypothetical scenarios portion of the interview, Contreras asked Robredo what the Philippine president should do if tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated into war.
Robredo dropped data off the bat, saying her first response would be securing the 342 Filipinos currently living in Ukraine.
She then went on to elaborate on her foreign policy, comparing the conflict between the two Eastern European countries with that of the Philippines and China over the West Philippine Sea.
The quick-thinking Robredo said the Philippines can learn much from Ukraine, a small country that has been harnessing its strong alliances with other nations to stand up to a world superpower like Russia.
It was not surprising either when it was Contreras who later asked Robredo about her Japanese coat photo and the wildly bashed video of her doing the hadouken, a special attack move popularized by Capcom’s Street Fighter game.
For Robredo, the criticisms she had to face over these online content are just a “small price to pay” for all the hard work her “Kakampinks” have been pouring into her bottom-up, volunteer-driven people’s campaign.
“Halimbawa ‘yung hadouken, ano ‘yun, request siya ng mga volunteers na mga Tiktokers. Alam ko na when I did it, alam ko na may mga hindi matutuwa. Pero sa akin small price to pay siya. Small price to pay siya doon sa joy na maibibigay ko doon sa nagre-request na grabe ‘yung sinasakripisyo para makatulong lang sa amin,” said Robredo.
(For example, the hadouken video was a request of our Tiktoker volunteers. I know when I did it that there would be people who would be upset with it. But, for me, that’s a small price to pay. That’s a small price to pay for the joy I can give to all those making requests and sacrifices to help us.)
And when Contreras forced Robredo to answer a hypothetical question on how she would promote her rival, the late dictator’s son Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the duly-elected Vice President did not flinch.
“Pinakamahirap yata iyan na sagot. Na matagal na siya sa pulitika?” Robredo said.
(That’s perhaps the hardest question to answer. That he has been in politics a long time?)
Asked if she would ever unify with Marcos, Robredo said no – not when the dictator’s family continues to revise history and does not apologize for the sins of Martial Law.
Netizens applauded Robredo for her interview performance, with the hashtag #LeniWalangAatarasan trending on Twitter.
The Vice President was praised for standing her ground even amid the male panelists’ sexist side comments and questions about her looks and love life.
Even Contreras himself had acknowledge how prepared Robredo was for the interview, though he also thought she played it too safe and had winding answers.
“Litaw ang kahandaan ni Leni sa interview. Talagang kitang-kita ang kanyang pinalawak na kaalaman sa maraming bagay…. Maganda ang performance ni Leni,” said the outspoken Robredo critic.
(Leni’s readiness was obvious during the interview. Her vast knowledge on many things was clear…. Leni had a good performance.)
That day inside the DZRH compound, Robredo entered the lion’s den. She came out unscathed and even stronger than before. – Rappler.com
Claim: Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno says he may be the first candidate to declare excess campaign funds.
Rating: FALSE
The facts: Many other candidates in past elections had declared unused campaign funds in their Statement of Election Contributions and Expenses.
Why we fact-checked this: Moreno made this claim during the Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Candidates Forum on Friday, February 4.
Complete details
During the Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Candidates Forumon Friday, February 4, Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno Domagoso was asked about his admission in a previous interview that he had P50 million in excess campaign funds after the 2016 senatorial elections which he declared, paid taxes for, and kept.
He responded, “Importante na ang isang kandidato o sinumang tao, tapat sa kanyang bayan, may nakatingin o wala. In fact, baka unique nga siguro sa paningin ‘nyo dahil wala pa yatang kandidato na nagpubliko na nagdeklara ng kanyang sobra at nagbayad ng buwis.”
(It’s important for a candidate or any person to be honest to one’s country, whether or not somebody’s looking. In fact, it might be unique in your view because there might not have been any candidate yet who has declared their excess funds and paid taxes for them.)
This claim is false.
Many other candidates in the past elections have declared unutilized or excess campaign funds in their Statement of Election Contribution and Expenses (SOCE).
After the 2013 elections, five senatorial candidates declared that they received more campaign contributions than they spent. These included Nancy Binay, Ramon Montaño, Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Juan Ponce “Jack” Enrile Jr., and Grace Poe.
Meanwhile, in 2016, apart from Moreno, candidates who reported surplus funds included then-presidential candidates Grace Poe and Jejomar Binay, as well as President Rodrigo Duterte. Among the vice presidential candidates at that time, Vice President Leni Robredo and former senator Francis Escudero also reported excess campaign funds. (READ: Poe, Robredo spent the most among presidential, VP bets)
This was also reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
Based on the SOCEs released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to the media after the 2019 elections, some candidates reported higher contributions than expenditures. They included senators Bong Go, Grace Poe, Imee Marcos, Pia Cayetano, and Nancy Binay.
Unutilized or excess campaign funds are subject to income tax, based on Revenue Regulation No. 7-2011, issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. – Loreben Tuquero/Rappler.com
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Claim: Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. submitted the correct receipt for the payment of his tax deficiencies.
Rating: FALSE
The facts: The receipt submitted by the Marcos camp was for lease rental, and not for the payment of his tax deficiencies. The term “account symbol” does not refer to the number of the Bureau of Internal Revenue form. It is also not an original copy of the receipt but only a photocopy.
Why we fact-checked this: Several Facebook pages and accounts shared a copy of the receipt that has been circulating on social media, supposedly to prove that Marcos Jr. has paid his tax deficiencies.
Complete details
Several users and pages on Facebook posted on January 29 and 30 about a copy of the receipt of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s settlement of his tax deficiencies. Marcos is facing disqualification for his failure to pay income taxes for the four years he was an official of Ilocos Norte during his father’s dictatorship.
The captions of the posts said that the “0605” under the account symbol in the photo refers to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) payment form.
This claim is false.
Marcos’ camp submitted a receipt that says he paid his deficiency taxes. Retired Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon and her lawyer found out that the receipt from the Land Bank of the Philippines was for the payment of lease rentals.
Guanzon says, “They have no certified copy that they paid their deficiency taxes. Noong sinuri ko at ng abogado ko, ang nakalagay sa resibo, payment of lease rentals.” (When I and my lawyer checked, what was stated on the receipt was for payment of lease rentals.)
While the number “0605” is written on the submitted receipt, it does not mean that this “account symbol” on the receipt is for the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) tax payment form. If the receipt is for tax deficiencies, it must be clearly written “tax deficiencies” and not “lease rental.”
Petitioners’ counsel Ted Te secured a certification from the Quezon City Regional Trial Court in December 2021 that they had no record proving that Marcos Jr. had paid his tax deficiencies. – Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com
Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
Imagine committing to participate virtually in a live broadcast carried by over 300 TV and radio stations nationwide – an event that may help get your message across to more people – and just as the program begins, you suddenly find out that your internet connection is spotty.
Viewers had an inkling that something was amiss on Robredo’s end when she had no video while she presented her platform at the start of the program. Her audio was breaking too, an all-too familiar sign of poor internet connection.
The presidential aspirant’s internet signal got so weak that the panelists at the forum had to skip her thrice in the Q&A portion. Meanwhile, her supporters were raging on social media, wondering aloud why her camp chose an area with a weak signal.
When her team managed to get her back online, the Vice President remained calm and collected. She did not seem affected by the fact that her audio and video were not in sync, as she elaborated on her platform hinged on an honest and transparent government.
Behind the scenes, Robredo’s staff scrambled for ways to make sure their boss would be able to join the program, and somehow made it work.
The lone female presidential aspirant was later seen holding a landline phone receiver, which she apparently used to help listen to the questions being asked by the panelists via a teleconferencing app on her laptop.
Not once did Robredo mention her rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but she seemed to allude to the penchant of the dictator’s son to skip critical presidential interviews when she delivered her closing remarks.
“True leadership is stepping up and showing up, may eleksyon man o wala, kandidato man o hindi…. Madalas akong sinasabihan, ‘Mahina ka kasi babae ka.’ Pero ni minsan wala akong hamon na inatrasan,” Robredo said.
(True leadership is stepping up and showing up, whether there’s an election or not, whether you’re a candidate or not…. I’m often told, “You’re weak because you’re a women.” But not once did I back out from any fight.)
‘My fault alone’
Aware of the complaints from Robredo’s supporters about the Vice President’s weak internet signal, her spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez, issued a statement and said the Vice President’s supporters can blame him for what happened. The Vice President, however, said after the forum that she alone was responsible for the gaffe.
Robredo said that her staff had advised her to cancel all her Friday engagements for the KBP forum, but she still wanted to honor her other commitments: her pre-planned trip to typhoon-devastated Siargao and Dinagat Islands that same day. She didn’t want to delay the turnover of housing materials to homeless residents still reeling from the calamity. (READ: A month after Typhoon Odette, Dinagat governor still lives in tent)
It was the reason why Robredo had to borrow an office for the forum, the location close to the airport so she can still make her flight after. In her bid to honor all her commitments that day, she had to sacrifice a reliable Wi-Fi connection as well as a better backdrop. Her background was just a random office shelf, too simple compared to the carefully planned backdrops of her opponents.
“I apologize for the bad connectivity during the forum. The fault is all mine…. Maraming (A lot of) lessons learned. We will do better next time,” Robredo tweeted.
I apologize for the bad connectivity during the forum. The fault is all mine. pic.twitter.com/4ivoXZ2Bnv
A lesson learned the hard way indeed, but Robredo not only rose above the mini-crisis but also showed how she keeps her commitments, her priorities, and more important, that she has no shortage of accountability. – Rappler.com
Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, and labor leader Leody de Guzman faced journalists from the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, boasts rich marine resources that feed and employ millions of Filipinos.
But an urgent problem threatens Philippine waters today: illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, or IUU fishing.
In countries like the Philippines, where fish is a major source of protein and livelihood, IUU fishing threatens Filipinos’ capacity to put food on the table.
How big of a problem is IUU fishing in the Philippines? Watch this video to learn more about this complex issue hounding the country’s waters. – Rappler.com
Writers: Jee Geronimo, Iya Gozum, Raisa Serafica Animation and Graphics: Janina Maglinis, David Castuciano Narrator: Paterno Esmaquel II Producer: Jaira Roxas Supervising Producer: Beth Frondoso
This video is produced in partnership with USAID Fish Right Program
This story is part of COVID-19 Pushed Me to Leave the Philippines, a series of profiles of Filipinos who migrated out of the country during the pandemic.
The well-being of healthcare workers has been a constantly thorny discussion since the deadly novel coronavirus came to the Philippines two years ago.
Since then, there have been protests, distress calls, delayed benefits, corruption allegations, and migration. While thousands of Filipinos still contract the coronavirus daily, Filipino health workers are leaving to care for COVID-19 patients in other countries – and some may say we can’t blame them for doing so.
Keannu Arnoco, a Filipino nurse, is one of the health workers who left the country in 2021 to seek an environment that would value the likes of him more. He only regrets not being able to spend more time with his family at home.
After five years of exposure to the public and private health sectors, Keannu felt sure enough that working in direct COVID-19 care in the Philippine system may not be worth the risk. Now in the United Kingdom, where thousands of other Filipino nurses also practice, he finds security and benefits his home cannot offer.
The Philippines is one of the world’s major sources of nurses. In 2019, almost 17,000 Filipino nurses signed overseas work contracts, according to government data.
Risk and low pay, even before COVID-19
Approaching his seventh year as a registered nurse (RN), Keannu has been exploring numerous areas in the health sector.
A few months after he became an RN in 2015, he volunteered at a public hospital and the city health office in his hometown, Bogo City in Cebu. On his first day, while treating a patient with the contagious tuberculosis disease, Keannu realized how lacking the facility’s resources were.
While the patient coughed up blood, the family continued to gather around the room. Tuberculosis, like COVID-19, can be transmitted through the air.
“They were crying, and the patient was really deteriorating at that time. I was very hesitant because I wasn’t really wearing the appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). I don’t even remember wearing a mask at that time. That’s why I never came near that patient,” the nurse admitted. Because of his fears, he let the senior nurse he was shadowing take the reins.
“There was not even a single glove there when I asked for it,” he said. “From there, I realized that it’s very hard working in a public health facility.”
While moments like this disheartened Keannu, he went on to have a quick stint working for the Department of Health’s nurse deployment program for a month and a half by the end of 2015, earning P28,000. The DOH was supposed to renew him for another six months, but a private tertiary hospital in Cebu City offered him an opportunity as well.
Here was where Keannu spent a year in the general ward, working with patients with various cases, then working in the intensive care unit (ICU) in his second year. While this allowed him growth and experience, the pay was a measly P13,000 a month.
Keannu, who had siblings and colleagues migrating to other countries, considered going abroad himself after two years at the private hospital. The idea had been in his head for a while, but now he entertained the real possibility of getting out.
Getting ‘hooked’ on advocacy
Just as he was preparing to undergo English proficiency tests that were required in some countries, he pushed back his plans for a few more years because of his passion for another health-related advocacy: addressing the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) problem in the Philippines.
“I did try to go and review [for the tests], but then I got hooked when I volunteered for an HIV-related advocacy,” he said, adding that he is openly gay and passionate about battling the stigma faced by people living with HIV.
In 2018, he worked in and became president of AIDvocates. He also expanded his work to mental health advocacy, and took a job in the Commission on Population and Development doing coordinating work in sexual and reproductive health programs.
Then, COVID-19 became a pandemic in 2020. But instead of going back to direct patient care, Keannu opted to work with his barangay in Bogo City to develop COVID-19 awareness campaigns. He also became a COVID-19 technical officer for Cebu province in a project by the United States Agency for International Development.
Together with the local government, Keannu conducted trainings for frontliners, developed campaign materials, and did house-to-house visits aimed at spreading information about the new virus, such as signs and symptoms of COVID-19, how it is transmitted, and prevention.
“It was very simple, and it didn’t really need a lot of budget. It was basically just me wanting to help them, and for them to help out others. That was to remove the fear, the stigma, and the discrimination that came with this new disease at that time,” he said.
Keannu believed that this was an alternative way to help Filipinos in his community without necessarily exposing himself to people with COVID-19, considering the risks he already knew from working in patient care.
Ironically, he takes care of COVID-19 patients now in the Isle of Wight in the UK. But, he asks, if he were to provide direct care for coronavirus patients in the Philippines, what would be the cost?
‘This is worth it’
While doing his advocacy work and COVID-19 awareness programs, Keannu had been preparing his migration requirements as well.
In January 2021, he was accepted to work in a trust, or a facility in the UK’s National Health Services. He left for the UK on May 13 – just after the Philippine labor department exempted the UK in the health worker deployment cap. The UK government recognized Keannu as an RN in July after he took an additional exam.
From working in the orthopedic ward for three months, Keannu was transferred to work in the two-unit ICU – the green unit with critically ill patients without COVID-19, and the red unit for COVID-positive patients. He is deployed in either unit, depending on staffing needs.
Keannu laid out his thought process as he ended up doing the work he avoided in his home country: “Do I get the correct or the appropriate return? Do I get what I deserve if I work [in this place]?”
“This is a risk, but I know that, for example, I’m well-protected because the PPE is enough. It’s very different from the Philippines…. I also considered the compensation and the benefits that we have here. So, I thought, okay, this is worth it,” he added.
While health workers in the Philippines dealt with delayed benefits promised by the government, Keannu said supervisors in the UK would encourage nurses like him to take their leaves if they hadn’t yet, “because [they] deserve it.”
Now earning multiple times more than any job he had in the Philippines, and finally feeling like his work and well-being are prioritized, Keannu has no regrets.
“Honestly, I don’t have any guilt [in leaving the country] because – does the government have any guilt about us not being treated fairly? If they’re not guilty about how they treated us, then why should we be guilty of not treating the people there, when we’ve always been there to provide care?”
Keannu laments how numerous Filipino medical worker groups fight for the benefits they deserve, but “it takes time for us to be heard.”
In August 2020, overwhelmed medical frontliners appealed to the government to impose a two-week hard lockdown in Mega Manila as the country dealt with a “losing battle” against COVID-19. President Rodrigo Duterte taunted them in response: “If you mount a revolution, you will give me a free ticket to stage a counter-revolution. How I wish you would do it.”
Keannu reflects, “We’ve always been there for COVID-19. But the question is, has the government been there for us? I don’t think they have. Because, why do we still want to go abroad?”
While secure and well-compensated in the UK, Keannu is not closing his doors to coming back to the Philippines. He thinks, if working conditions were better and he could just travel temporarily to explore the world, why not?
“If I’m stable here, if I like it here, then I might stay here. If I don’t, I might return to the Philippines or, if not, I might be in any other part of the world,” he said. “That’s something valid and acceptable because that’s life. And where there is life, we try to just keep on going.” – Rappler.com
Ang sabi-sabi: Walang nabawi ang Pilipinas mula sa ill-gotten wealth ng mga Marcos
Marka: HINDI TOTOO
Ang katotohanan: Mula 1986, P174 bilyon na ang naibalik ng Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) galing sa perang ninakaw ng mga Marcos sa kaban ng bayan. Sa kasalukuyan, P125.9 bilyon pa ang pinagtatrabahuhan ng PCGG na maibalik.
Bakit kailangan i-fact-check: May ilang mga post na kumakalat sa Facebook na naglalaman ng sabi-sabing ito.
Nagsalita si Carpio sa 1Sambayan Tapatan Forum, kung saan pinag-usapan si Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., na tumatakbo sa pagkapangulo, at ang hindi nito pagbabayad ng buwis, na paglabag sa batas.
Nagbigay rin ng pahayag si Carpio tungkol sa posibleng mangyayari sa mga nakaw na kayamanan o ill-gotten wealth ng pamilya kung manalo si Marcos bilang pangulo.
Sinabi ni Carpio: “If Bongbong Marcos becomes president, I do not expect the P125 billion to be recovered anymore. The first thing he’ll do, he’ll probably abolish the PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government).”
(Kung maging Presidente si Bongbong Marcos, di ko na inaasahan na mababawi pa ang P125 bilyon. Ang una niya sigurong gagawin ay alisin ang PCGG.)
Ang nakalagay sa post na kumakalat: “Eh anong ginawa mo nong justice ka pa? 36 years na, hindi nyo nabawi, kasi nga wala!! D ikaw ang bobo. Ang laki siguro ng kasalanan mo kay apo Macoy, kaya takot ka!!”
Ayon sa post, walang nabawi na pera mula sa ninakaw ng mga Marcos mula 1986.
Hindi totoo ang pahayag na ito.
Binuo ni dating pangulong Corazon Aquino ang PCGG sa ilalim ng Department of Justice (DOJ) upang mabawi at maimbestigahan ang mga ninakaw na kayamanan ni dating pangulo at diktador na si Ferdinand Marcos at ng pamilya nito.
Noong 2021, ipinahayag ng PCGG sa House committee budget hearing para sa 2022 na P79 bilyon mula sa binawing kayamanan na ito ay ipinamigay sa mga magsasaka sa pamamagitan ng agrarian reform program. P76 bilyon naman ang ibinigay sa mga magsasaka sa ilalim ng coco levy trust fund, at P11 bilyon ang itinakda bilang kabayaran o compensation para sa mga biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao noong panahon ng Martial Law.
Marami nang naisulat na fact check ang Rappler tungkol sa mga Marcos. Basahin na rin ang mga ibang fact check tungkol sa kanilang nakaw na kayamanan:
Magbahagi kung may nakikita kang kahina-hinalang Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, artikulo, o mga larawan sa iyong network. I-send ang mga ito sa factcheck@rappler.com. Sa bawat fact check, labanan natin ang pagkalat ng mali o mapanlinlang na impormasyon.
Claim: Non-tax revenue constitutes 6% of the country’s total income.
Rating: MISSING CONTEXT
The facts: Senator and presidential aspirant Manny Pacquiao did not specify which year he was referring to, but records show that the non-tax revenue of the Philippines did not exceed 2% from 2014 to 2021.
Why we fact-checked this: Pacquiao made the claim during the KBP presidential forum on February 4.
Complete details
During the Panata sa Bayan: The KBP Presidential Candidates Forum on Friday, February 4, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, a presidential aspirant, claimed that the non-tax revenue of the Philippines constitutes 6% of the country’s total income.
In his answer to the question given by Roby Alampay on where he would get the funds for his programs, Pacquiao said that the government did not solely rely on taxes for revenue.
“Mayroon pong tinatawag natin na non-tax revenue income. Dapat ’yung non-tax revenue income palakasin natin para hindi lamang sa tax revenue income magre-rely ang ating bansa. Kaya lang po, ang nangyayari ay…dito sa ating gobyerno ay nasa mga 6% lamang po annually ang naiaambag na source of income ng non-tax revenue,” Pacquiao said at the 1:01:54 mark of the forum.
(We have what we call the non-tax revenue income. Non-tax revenue income must be strengthened so that our country will not solely rely on tax revenue income. But what is happening is that non-tax revenue contributes only 6% to our income [annually].)
Pacquiao also said the government should rely more on non-tax revenue income to slow down tax hikes.
The claim that non-tax income makes up 6% of the country’s total income is false.
According to the website of the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Development, non-tax revenue income consists of fees collected from services provided by government agencies to the public and from the government’s regulatory and investment activities.
According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the non-tax revenue-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio of the Philippines from 2014 until 2019 did not reach 2%.
CPBRD data shows the government earned P210.2 billion in non-tax revenue income from January to September 2021, constituting 1.08% of the country’s total GDP.
The non-tax revenue-to-GDP ratio shows how big the contribution of non-tax revenue income is to the total income of the country.
A report from the CPBRD showed that the Philippines has the lowest non-tax revenue-to-GDP ratio among Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states from 2014 to 2016. – Lorenz Dantes Pasion/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
Ang sabi-sabi: Nagpahayag ng suporta si New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern kay Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Marka: HINDI TOTOO
Ang katotohanan: Sinabi ng press secretary ni Ardern na hindi galing kay Ardern ang pahayag. Wala ring pahayag sa opisyal na Facebook page ni Ardern na nag-eendoso ng sinomang Filipino na tumatakbo sa pagkapangulo.
Bakit kailangan i-fact-check: Nang isulat ang fact-check na ito, mayroon nang mahigit 354 reaksiyon, 43 comments, at 311 shares ang larawan na nagtataglay ng sabi-sabi sa Facebook.
Mga detalye
Isang post ng Facebook user na si “Jelyn Macaraeg” noong Enero 16 ang nagsasabing sinusuportahan ni New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern si Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa pagtakbo nito sa pagkapangulo.
Makikita sa post ang larawan ni Ardern sa tabi ng linyang “I am impressed on how BBM will lead his country. He could easily pay the debts of his country and lend gold to other nations. He is the solution to every crisis the world faces. If I am the Philippine’s president, I am willing to give my position to him. Sadly the oligarchs are destroying his name and reputation. He should file a case like swindling to teach them a lesson.”
(Hanga ako sa kung paano pamumunuan ni BBM ang kaniyang bansa. Kaya niyang bayaran ang mga utang ng kaniyang bansa at magpahiram ng ginto sa ibang mga nasyon. Siya ang solusyon sa bawat krisis na kinakaharap ng mundo. Kung ako ang presidente ng Pilipinas, papayag ako na ibigay ang posisyon sa kaniya. Nakakalungkot na sinisira ng mga oligark ang kaniyang pangalan at reputasyon. Dapat magsampa siya ng kaso, tulad ng panloloko, para turuan sila ng leksiyon.)
Nakalagay din ang mga linyang “Kaya pala takot na takot ang mga LP, oligarch, CPP/NPA/NDF, at America!” at “Alam niya na may ‘Last Will’ si Apo Macoy para satin, buong mundo!”
Nang isulat ang fact-check na ito, mayroon nang mahigit 354 reaksiyon, 43 comments, at 311 shares ang larawan sa Facebook.
Hindi totoo ang sabi-sabing ito.
Ayon sa Australian Associated Press (AAP), sinabi ng press secretary ni Ardern na hindi ang New Zealand Prime Minister ang nagbigay ng nasabing pahayag, at ito ay peke.
Wala ring pahayag si Ardern sa kaniyang opisyal na Facebook page tungkol sa pagsuporta sa kahit sinong presidential aspirant ng Pilipinas para sa 2022 national elections.
Si Ardern ay prime minister ng New Zealand simula noong 2017. Kilala siya sa kaniyang epektibong COVID-19 pandemic response na naging dahilan ng kaniyang muling pagkapanalo sa halalan at sa ikalawang termino bilang prime minister.
Ang dating senador at anak ng diktador na si Marcos Jr. ay tumatakbo sa pagkapangulo sa 2022 national elections sa darating na Mayo. Humaharap siya sa isang consolidated disqualification case na hawak ng Commission on Elections First Division. (BASAHIN: Guanzon votes to disqualify Marcos Jr., says ponente ‘incommunicado’)
Marami nang na-fact-check ang Rappler na mga sabi-sabi tungkol sa mga personalidad na umano’y sumusuporta sa pagtakbo ni Marcos:
Magbahagi kung may nakikita kang kahina-hinalang Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, artikulo, o mga larawan sa iyong network. I-send ang mga ito sa factcheck@rappler.com. Sa bawat fact check, labanan natin ang pagkalat ng mali o mapanlinlang na impormasyon.
MANILA, Philippines – Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson has run traditional media ads worth almost P1 billion as of December 2021 – when it was still more than a month before the start of the campaign period on February 8 and no law banned or limited pre-election advertising.
Data from Nielsen showed that TV, radio, print, and outdoor billboard ads Lacson ran from January to December 2021 were worth P915.30 million. Separately, he shared ads with his running mate, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, worth P215 million.
The amounts were based on published rate cards of media outlets before discounts were given to his campaign team. Nielsen does not capture the negotiated or agency rates that candidates pay.
Under Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Election Act, a discount of up to 50% on candidates’ TV ads applies, for example. The law is effective during the campaign period, but campaign teams that spoke to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) said they had received discounts this early.
Lacson, a former national police chief-turned-multi-term senator, has topped ad spending among all candidates in all positions on traditional media so far.
He doubled down on ad spending in November – a month before the December pre-election surveys – when he aired ads worth P496.68 million. It was a little more than half of his total ad spending on traditional media in 2021.
PCIJ reached out to Lacson and his spokesperson, Francisco Acedillo, to ask how the ads were paid. We will update this report as soon as we receive a response.
Lacson’s spending was followed closely by senators Sherwin Gatchalian (P910.81 million) and Joel Villanueva (P887.79 million), who are running for reelection, and former public works secretary Mark Villar (P838.42 million).
Among presidential candidates, Lacson was followed by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, who aired ads worth P735.44 million during the 12-month period. He also ran a few ads with his running mate Willie Ong worth P390,000.
Domagoso started a massive TV campaign in September 2021 in the run-up to the filing of candidacies, when he was being considered as the candidate of opposition coalition 1Sambayan. The group eventually endorsed Vice President Leni Robredo.
Domagoso aired ads worth P305.97 million in September and P331.51 million in October before he slowed down on spending in November (P92.76 million).
In December, he tightened his belt even further. He ran ads worth only P3.19 million.
Moreno’s ad spending is expected to increase again in January 2022. His ads have appeared during presidential interviews on TV and radio.
Data visualization by Joseph Luigi Almuena/PCIJ
Potential conflicts of interest?
Heavy spending among candidates shows the “unfairness” of the country’s election system, said presidential candidate and labor leader Leody de Guzman, who could not afford ads on traditional media. He recorded zero spending in Nielsen’s data.
“‘Yan ang hindi fair sa sistema ng ating elections kasi paramihan ng pera. Parang, indirectly, ang eleksiyon, lalo na sa pangkapangulo, binibili,” De Guzman told the PCIJ in a phone interview. (That is what is unfair in our election system. It’s a contest between moneyed candidates. Indirectly, it’s like elections are for sale.)
This setup embroils future leaders in potential conflicts of interests because they are forced to rely on big businesses to fund their campaigns, he pointed out.
“Minsan sinasangla ang kanilang prinsipyo sa mga big businessna may bilyon. ‘Yan ang nangyari sa ating bansa sa nagpalit-palit na gobyerno. Todo-todong pabor ay ibinigay doon sa mga nag-financesa kanila. Siyempre naman, pagka interes ng malalaking negosyante ay kontra sa interes ng mga mamamayan,” he said.
(They sometimes compromise their principles with big businesses, which have the billions. That’s what has happened to our country across changing governments. Favors are given to those who financed their campaigns. Of course, the interests of big businessmen always run afoul of the public interest.)
De Guzman said that, in future elections, the government should shoulder the cost of introducing candidates to voters using state resources, such as government TV stations.
He said he would rely on media interviews to discuss his platform.
TV remains the top source of voters’ information about candidates, followed by radio and the internet, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted in October 2021.
Robredo, Marcos catch up
Robredo and former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong“Marcos Jr. caught up on their ad spending in the aftermath of the filing of candidacies in October.
After spending about P26,000 in March 2021 and less than P400,000 in July, Robredo began to pour more money into ads in August, when she aired ads worth P52 million. In November, Robredo spent P147.76 million and overtook Moreno’s spending that month.
In total, Robredo aired ads worth P500.47 million in 2021. She also had a few ads with her running mate, Senator Francis Pangilinan, worth P1.33 million.
After a slow start, Marcos topped ad spending among all candidates in December, signalling what could be the beginning of heavy spending to keep his double-digit lead in the polls.
He ran ads worth P310.26 million in December, or 94% of his total ad spending on traditional media in 2021.
Meanwhile, Senator Manny Pacquiao, who ranked fourth in the December Pulse Asia survey, only ran print ads worth P1.7 million in 2021.
Apart from the five, no other presidential candidates have figured in traditional media advertisements.
Senator Bong Go, who filed but later withdrew his presidential bid, aired ads worth P158.95 million. The amount was on top of his tandem ads with President Rodrigo Duterte, which were worth P5.35 million.
The Nielsen data does not include candidates’ spending on social media. Based on Facebook’s Ad Library, the Robredo camp topped spending on the social media platform in 2021 after shelling out P14.1 million. Among presidential candidates, she was followed by Lacson, who recorded spending P5.36 million.
Pacquiao spent P347,059 while Moreno spent a meager P5,031. Marcos snubbed advertising on the social media platform in 2021.
Heavy ad spending by Lacson and Moreno did not immediately translate to better showing in the polls, however.
Lacson spent P496.68 million in November. It was a little more than half of his total spending in 2021.
His numbers did not improve in the succeeding survey conducted by Pulse Asia from December 1 to 6, 2021. He ranked fifth among presidential candidates, with just 6% of respondents saying they would vote for him.
His numbers also did not move compared with the September polling. There was a slight increase in the National Capital Region, but it was within the margin of error.
Moreno also spent heavily on ads, particularly in September and October 2021, when he ran ads worth over P300 million each month.
Moreno’s support dipped in the December survey, however, to 8% from 13%.
He suffered in Balance Luzon, where he went down to 10% from 16%. He also suffered in the Visayas, dropping to 6% from 15%.
Marcos topped the December Pulse Asia survey following the surprise move of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who previously led the polls, to run as his vice president instead.
Robredo ranked second in the poll after her numbers improved 12 points to 20% in December from 8% in September.
Senate race: Heavy spenders join Magic 12
It was in the Senate race – known to be a game of name recall – where heavy spending appeared to have translated into poll numbers.
Senators Gatchalian and Villanueva, both seeking a second term, and Villar, son of billionaire businessman and former senator Manuel Villar Jr. and Senator Cynthia Villar, are close behind Lacson in spending.
Cayetano aired ads worth P39.92 million in October after spending P187 million in September. In December, he aired ads worth less than P1 million.
In total, he ran ads worth P749.79 million and was the fifth top spender in 2021.
The amounts were on top of separate ads they shared with other candidates or family members. Earlier in 2021, Gatchalian ran ads with Mayor Sara worth P1.39 million. Villar shared ads with his father worth P221.42 million. Villanueva and Cayetano also ran shared ads worth P241.50 million.
Gatchalian, Villanueva, Villar, and Cayetano were in the “Magic 12” circle of winning candidates, based on the December survey of Pulse Asia.
The other top spenders among candidates for senator were former vice president Jejomar Binay, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Antique Representative Loren Legarda, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, former senators Gregorio Honasan II, JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada, and Antonio Trillanes IV, former national police chief Guillermo Eleazar, and SAGIP Representative Rodante Marcoleta.
Advertising limits will be imposed beginning February 8, the start of the campaign period for national candidates.
An election reform law passed in 1991, Republic Act 7166, also limits ad spending of presidential candidates to P10 per voter or a maximum P640 million over the three-month period, based on the Commission on Election’s projected number of registered voters for the May 2022 elections. – Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism/Rappler.com
MANILA, Philippines – Almost two years after ABS-CBN went off-air, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) distributed to other entities the frequencies previously assigned to the media giant. Among those awarded the frequency bands is Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), owned by President Rodrigo Duterte’s embattled friend, preacher Apollo Quiboloy.
Quiboloy has long been mired in scandals, having been accused of land grabbing and indicted for sex trafficking, landing him on the most wanted list of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. A Rappler investigative series also found that ex-members of his church, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), were deep in debt due to his financial demands and had suffered emotional and psychological abuse.
Read Rappler’s investigative series on Quiboloy here:
Now, his church’s broadcasting arm is receiving government favor in the form of airwaves despite its failure to abide by journalistic standards. The Facebook page of its news and public affairs network, SMNI News, is at the core of the network of accounts, pages, and websites that red-tag government critics and attack the media. It also has a history of sharing misleading information and lending its platforms to hyper-partisan figures.
Legitimizing attacks against media, critics
On several occasions, SMNI News has been used as a platform to attack journalists and red-tag government critics.
When ABS-CBN was denied a franchise after repeated threats from President Duterte, SMNI News published a report on Quiboloy urging the network’s supporters not to blame the government, but the network’s management for “not [doing] their job.”
On SMNI’s Usaping Bayan program, host Mike Abe also told ABS-CBN’s supporters that, no matter how much they rally, Congress would not be able to easily renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.
SMNI News has also allotted considerable airtime to congressmen Mike Defensor and Rodante Marcoleta, two key legislators who blocked ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. They host SMNI’s Point of Order program, which they used to revisit ABS-CBN’s alleged violations a year after the license denial.
Despite Defensor and Marcoleta’s claims, other government officials have cleared ABS-CBN of alleged violations, saying the network had regularly complied with tax requirements, labor standards, and franchise terms.
‘NILILINLANG ANG TAUMBAYAN.’ Party-list congressmen Mike Defensor and Rodante Marcoleta talk about ABS-CBN on SMNI News’ ‘Point of Order’ program. Rappler screenshot
Quiboloy himself compared ABS-CBN to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) due to their alleged “bias.” This came after supporters from a Marcos-Duterte motorcade crowded ABS-CBN vehicles, visibly annoying crew members.
MAIHAHALINTULAD SA NPA? Pastor Apollo Quiboloy likens ABS-CBN to the CPP-NPA due to their supposed ‘bias.’ Rappler screenshot
When Rappler CEO Maria Ressa received her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, she talked about the persecution endured by journalists from Rappler and other newsrooms worldwide. In another Usaping Bayan broadcast, Abe had called Ressa a liar, slammed her for being dramatic in front of the international community, and questioned her Filipino citizenship. Ressa is a dual citizen who holds both Filipino and US citizenship.
SINUNGALING? Programs and articles of SMNI News taunt and discredit Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa. Rappler screenshots
Attacks against journalists are repeated by SMNI’s readers. Duterte supporters often share SMNI’s content and slam mainstream media outlets for supposedly being “biased” against the administration, and for supposedly not reporting on certain government accomplishments.
‘GOOD NEWS.’ Followers of SMNI News share content from the alternative news organization, then accuse the mainstream media of being ‘biased’ and of sharing ‘propaganda.’ Rappler screenshot
SMNI News is in the middle of the network of pages, accounts, and websites that have shared and created posts that attacked the media. Rappler scanned public posts from January 1, 2016, to October 31, 2021, to study posts with mentions of attack words we have collected over years of monitoring online harassment against the press. These words included “presstitute (a portmanteau of press and prostitute),” “bayaran (paid hacks),” and “bias,” among others.
The maps above show the network of pages, accounts, and websites that harassed journalists online from 2020 to 2021. The blue circles represent the sources and sharers of the posts that contained attack keywords. The bigger the circle, the more it was shared by other actors in the network. The dark blue circles are the sources, or those who produced content, while the light blue circles represent those who shared content from the sources.
SMNI News’ influence in the network became bigger starting in 2020. This was also the year that its Facebook page’s followers and page likes started to ramp up, based on data from CrowdTangle. Its Facebook page now has over 400,000 likes and more than 900,000 followers, as of February 3, 2022.
An earlier Rappler investigation also found that SMNI News was among the top content sources of red-tagging networks.
Clips of SMNI News’ reports about the CPP-NPA were shared by a network of pages and accounts that justified violence by branding activists and government critics as “terrorists.” SMNI News’ reports often only featured voices from government officials and allies.
AMPLIFIED. SMNI News’ reports are amplified by pages and accounts that blame the media and institutions for the supposed communist threat in the Philippines. Rappler screenshots
These reports were then shared by pages and accounts that captioned their posts with statements that blamed the media and institutions, like the Commission on Human Rights, for the supposed communist threat in the country – which they exaggerate. These posts also often contained unverified claims and presented them as facts, such as the accusation that actress Angel Locsin’s sister was a member of the NPA, and that the mainstream media had supposedly been “infiltrated” by communists.
Leftist groups, particularly those that belonged to the Makabayan bloc, were also a top target of these accounts. The posts that shared SMNI News’ posts antagonized leftist groups and justified the attacks made on its members, drowning out the real stories of activists being harassed and killed.
RED-TAGGED. A Facebook account and a Facebook page share clips of SMNI News’ reports, and then tag leftist groups as communists. Rappler screenshot
SMNI News pushed this narrative offline too. During the filing of candidacies for the 2022 polls, SMNI’s reporters repeatedly asked members of the Makabayan bloc about their alleged communist ties – a line of questioning critics had flagged as dangerous and tantamount to red-tagging.
Misleading claims, propaganda masquerading as news
SMNI News has also reported misleading and outright false claims, which have been fact-checked by third-party fact-checkers. These included a quote card of Vice President and presidential contender Leni Robredo which lacked context, as well as a report that claimed dictator’s son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “passed” his bachelor’s degree in social studies at the University of Oxford.
MISSING CONTEXT. A graphic posted by SMNI News featuring presidential bet and Vice President Leni Robredo does not include the earlier part of her quote, where she talked about her track record and existing programs. Rappler screenshot
The network has also lent their platforms to politicians and personalities who often make false claims – in effect, SMNI does not directly make the claims, the interviewees do. In an Usaping Bayan broadcast in 2020, Senator Imee Marcos falsely claimed that the equipment of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was gone – a claim Rappler later fact-checked.
SMNI News also gives commentary programs to public officials and bloggers, including RJ Nieto of Thinking Pinoy and Sass Sasot, who use their platforms to spread government propaganda.
SMNI News has distanced itself from the mainstream media. Though it usually publishes content in favor of the Duterte administration, it describes itself as “a true alternative network that broadcasts the uncompromising message of truth giving emphasis to responsible journalism and broadcasting; driven with the purpose to satisfy man’s spiritual need leading to transformation and excellent service,” as stated in its Facebook page.
SMNI is also a member of Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), whose broadcast code provides networks and media outfits ethical guidelines and standards for both news and commentary programs.
The KBP encourages the public to submit complaints via their website whenever member stations violate guidelines listed in the code. Those who violate the code are subject to penalties and other sanctions. Individuals who violate the code can receive temporary suspensions and can have their accreditation revoked, while stations can be censured and given temporary suspensions of member privileges.
However, SMNI News continues to broadcast freely, and its hosts continue to amplify lies and propaganda even on social media.
Quiboloy’s long history with Duterte
SMNI’s strategy of featuring pro-administration figures and propaganda should not come as a surprise, as Quiboloy is a longtime friend and spiritual adviser of President Duterte.
The network’s roots trace back to early radio and television programs by the media ministry of Quiboloy’s KOJC. Legally known as the Swara Sug Media Corporation, SMNI was first granted a franchise when bills lapsed into law in 1995. In May 2016, the network launched SMNI News, and in 2019 Duterte signed their franchise extension, allowing them to operate for another 25 years, or until 2044.
Quiboloy actively campaigned for Duterte and lent him a private plane during the 2016 national election. The pastor even predicted a landslide victory for Duterte, saying he was the leader the Philippines needed to “slay corruption, drug addiction, and poverty.”
Duterte also admitted that he received other lavish gifts from Quiboloy, including properties and cars, but said that these donations were made “in the name of God.”
Most recently, Quiboloy officially endorsed the tandem of dictator’s son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and presidential daughter Sara Duterte for the upcoming 2022 election. He predicted that Marcos and Duterte, the current survey frontrunners, would also enjoy a landslide win.
Both Quiboloy and Duterte enjoy exaggerated, cultish devotion from their followers, to the extent that their wrongdoings are tolerated or go unchecked.
Before Rodrigo Duterte was sworn into office, Quiboloy had said he would not use their longtime friendship to meddle with issues of “national interest.” Duterte had said the same about his friendships, saying “My loyalty to you as a friend ends where my loyalty to my country begins.”
Over five years later, the NTC, the same executive agency that shut down media giant ABS-CBN, granted Quiboloy’s SMNI a wider reach with highly-coveted frequencies – never mind if its network incites hate and spreads propaganda. – with reports from Gemma B. Mendoza, Don Kevin Hapal, Dylan Salcedo/Rappler.com
Claim: Sandro Marcos, son of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., says all the Marcoses who are running in the 2022 elections will win without campaigning.
Rating: SATIRE
The facts: The original post had a disclaimer it was satire. The original quote card, altered for this satire, was first posted on September 14, 2021, by News 5.
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook post has garnered 684 reactions, 180 comments, and 260 shares, as of writing.
Complete details
On Saturday, February 5, Facebook user “Da Celestine” shared a social media graphic featuring a supposed quote from Sandro Marcos, son of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Sandro, who himself is running for representative of Ilocos Norte’s 1st District, supposedly said in response to criticisms about his father’s failure to show up in candidate interviews: all members of the Marcos family who are running in the 2022 elections need not attend such forums because the Marcos name can make them win without campaigning.
Marcos supposedly said the following statement: “My father can win this election without campaigning. The same goes with me and any Marcos who are running for elective positions this 2022 election. We do not need to attend any interview, debate, or public meeting to win any election in any given time. The MARCOS name is already enough to make us win.”
In the post, a photo of Marcos was placed above the quote and the logo of “Bilang Pilipino 2022” of News 5, NBC, CNN, BBC, Fox News, CBS News, and ABC News.
The comments section shows that Facebook users believed the said quote card. As of writing, the Facebook post has garnered 684 reactions, 180 comments, and 260 shares.
This quote card is satirical.
The bottom right of the infographic reads, “Satire only.” It also contains an edited logo of different news outfit.
The original quote card was posted on September 14, 2021, on the News 5 Facebook page when Sandro announced his candidacy for congressman of the 1st District of Ilocos Norte.
Marcos said in the original quote card: “Today, I officially announced my candidacy to run for Congressman in order to serve the 1st District of Ilocos Norte. I thank you for all the support and heed your call to serve our beloved province!”
There are no official reports, statements, or recordings to prove that Sandro said the quote in the altered infographic.– Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com
Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
Ang sabi-sabi: Ibinasura na ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang disqualification case laban kay Marcos Jr.
Marka: HINDI TOTOO
Ang katotohanan: Wala pang ibinababang desisyon ang Comelec sa disqualification case laban kay Marcos Jr. Ang ibinasura ng Comelec noong Enero 17 ay ang petisyong ikansela ng kanyang certificate of candidacy.
Bakit kailangan i-fact-check: Nang isulat ang fact check na ito, mayroon nang mahigit 1,100 reactions, 91 comments, at 213 shares ang larawan sa Facebook.
Mga detalye
Isang post noong Enero 17 ng Facebook page ng partidong Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) ang nagsasabing ibinasura na ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang disqualification case ng presidential aspirant na si Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Lakas-CMD is co-chaired by Sara Duterte, Marcos Jr.’s running mate. The president of the party is House Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, a first cousin of Marcos Jr.
Nakalagay sa post ang isang larawan ni Marcos Jr. at ang linyang “Comelec has dismissed the disqualification case filed against presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.”
(Ibinasura na ng Comelec ang disqualification case na isinampa laban kay presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.)
Nakalagay din sa larawan at caption ng post ang linya na nagsasabing nakalagay sa desisyon ng Comelec na maaaring tumakbo si Marcos dahil hindi siya “perpetually disqualified” para umupo sa isang posisyon sa gobyerno at hindi rin siya gumawa ng kahit anong misrepresentation sa pag-file niya ng certificate of candidacy (COC).
Kasama rin sa sabi-sabi ang larawan ng isang dokumento na may pirma ng mga opisyal ng Comelec.
Nang isulat ang fact-check na ito, mayroon nang mahigit 1,100 reactions, 91 comments, at 213 shares ang larawan sa Facebook.
Hindi totoo ang sabi-sabing ito.
Ang sinabing desisyon ng Comelec sa sabi-sabi ay ibinaba ng Comelec 2nd Division para sa petisyon na ikansela ang certificate of candidacy (COC) ni Marcos at hindi mula sa Comelec 1st Division na may hawak sa disqualification case laban sa presidential aspirant.
Ang mga nakalagay na tao sa dokumento na ipinakita sa sabi-sabi na sina commissioners Socorro Inting, Antonio Kho Jr., at Rey Bulay ay mga miyembro ng Comelec 2nd Division.
Sina commissioners Marlon Casquejo, Aimee Ferolino, at Rowena Guanzon ang bumubuo sa Comelec 1st Division na humahawak sa disqualification case ni Marcos Jr. Nagretiro na si Guanzon nitong Pebrero.
Ang tatlong disqualification case laban kay Marcos Jr. na isinampa ng Martial Law survivors, party-list group na Akbayan, at mga dating opisyal ng Partido Federal ng Pilipinas ay pinag-isa at itinakdang bigyan ng desisyon noong Enero 17.
Ang desisyon ay hindi naibigay sa nasabing araw dahil kinailangang mag-isolate ng isa sa mga commissioner ng 1st Division matapos ma-expose sa isang staff na nagpositibo sa COVID-19.
Ayon kay Comelec 1st Division commissioner Rowena Guanzon, hindi pa mailabas ang desisyon dahil “incommunicado” ang ponente ng kaso. Dahil dito, inilabas ni Guanzon ang kaniyang boto sa publiko bago ang kaniyang pagreretiro noong Pebrero 2.
Nagretiro sina Guanzon, Comelec chairman Sheriff Abas, at commissioner Antonio Kho Jr. noong Pebrero 2. Si Commissioner Socorro Inting ang uupo bilang acting chairman ng Comelec habang hinihintay ang itatalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte bilang chairperson ng Comelec.
Si Inting ang presiding officer ng Comelec 2nd Division na nagbasura ng petisyon upang ikansela ang COC ni Marcos. Ayon sa isang report ng CNN, maaaring ipahawak ni Inting ang disqualification case kay commissioner Aimee Ferolino o ipa-raffle at ipahawak ito sa ibang commissioner. – Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com
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Claim: Coca-Cola partners with the World Health Organization (WHO) in an investment program for people affected by COVID-19
Rating: FALSE
The facts: The investment scheme is fake. The Coca-cola Company does not have a partnership with the WHO for an investment program to help people affected by COVID-19.
Why we fact-check this: The claim was submitted to Rappler through email for checking.
Complete details
An image claims that American multinational beverage corporation “The Coca-cola Bottling Company (CBC)” partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) for an investment program for people affected by COVID-19.
A text in the image says, “The Coca-cola Bottling Company (CBC) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) are currently helping the less privileged, unemployed, disabled people to raise their children and those in need of money during this pandemic (COVID-19) to be able to pay their bills, buy homes, start business of their choice.”
Below the text is a list of the potential amount of earnings from the “investment procedure” and a note that says the reader will be paid within five to seven minutes after investing.
The company logo of the Coca-Cola company can be seen at the top of the image and is also used as a watermark. The signature of a supposed “director of certification” appears at the bottom right side of the image.
The claim was submitted to Rappler through email for checking.
This claim is false.
The official Facebook page and the official website of Coca-Cola Philippines do not have any announcements and posts regarding an investment program for people affected by COVID-19.
The official website of The Coca-Cola Company – that’s the correct name of the mother company of Coca-Cola Philippines – also does not have any posts about an investment program on its investor’s page.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the primary international philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, also did not have an investment program on its list of contributions for the coronavirus.
Rappler has debunked scams that circulated on social media before. In May 2021, a scam claimed that Rolex was giving away watches in celebration of its 100th anniversary. A scam claiming that Amazon was giving free gifts on its 30th anniversary also circulated on social media platforms in June 2021.
For information about The Coca-Cola Company’s official programs and activities, refer to its official Facebook pages and official websites. – Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
