FactsFirstPH 📖
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Happening at 7 pm in this chat room! A community chat about how we can still have fruitful conversations online, amid 'cancel' culture, trolling, and disinformation. This will be moderated by our One Young World Rappler scholar Rowella Berizo! Her resource persons are listed in the poster below. See you later :) @here
FACT CHECK: Harry Roque denies arrest rumors
Roque says he remains in the Netherlands after being barred from flying to Austria due to medical reasons
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/harry-roque-arrested-netherlands/
[DECODED] X’s geolocation feature isn’t perfect or transparent, and that makes it problematic
Without proper safeguards, X's geolocation feature can be wielded like a weapon by bad actors
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/technology/decoded-x-twitter-geolocation-capabilities-limitations/
FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte did not replace Marcos as president
Both officials remain in their respective positions. The viral video falsely claiming otherwise misuses old footage of Duterte being greeted by supporters in Kuwait.
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/sara-duterte-replace-president-ferdinand-marcos-jr/
FACT CHECK: AI-generated video falsely presented as clips of anti-Marcos rally
While there have been recent calls for Marcos to step down, the video circulating on Facebook does not show real footage of protests demanding the President’s resignation
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/video-rally-calls-ferdinand-marcos-jr-resignation-ai-generated/
FACT CHECK: No P80,000 cash aid for all senior citizens, video is AI-generated
While there are several initiatives providing cash aid to senior citizens, there is no program offering all senior citizens P80,000 annually
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-80000-cash-aid-filipino-senior-citizens-video-ai-generated/
FACT CHECK: Registration links for PWD cash aid lead to phishing, shopping sites
URL scanners show that the supposed registration links lead to unrelated shopping platforms and unofficial blog sites posing as government websites
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/registration-links-pwd-cash-aid-lead-phishing-shopping-sites/
FACT CHECK: Links for DOST scholarship online application lead to phishing websites
A widely shared Facebook reel promoting supposed DOST scholarship application links is AI-generated, and directs users to phishing sites
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/links-dost-scholarship-online-application-lead-phishing-websites/
FACT CHECK: ‘Pamaskong handog’ news report is AI-generated, link redirects to shopping site
A supposed 'Pamaskong handog' registration link directs users to an online store, and the video promoting it is AI-generated rather than an official report
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/pamaskong-handog-news-report-ai-generated-link-shopping-site/
FACT CHECK: Kabataan Representative Renee Co critical of Marcos even before Zaldy Co issue
Co has long been critical of the president on issues beyond flood control, including the ‘long overdue’ return of PhilHealth funds
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/kabataan-representative-renee-co-critical-marcos-zaldy-co/
FACT CHECK: ICC did not reverse decision rejecting Duterte’s interim release
Claim: The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) appeals chamber granted former president Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for interim release after reassessing
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/icc-not-reverse-decision-rejecting-rodrigo-duterte-interim-release/
FACT CHECK: Video of Peñafrancia procession misrepresented as rally in Metro Manila
The original video, posted on September 20, mentions the 'Peñafrancia Fluvial Procession' in its caption, implying that devotees were heading to the Danlugan ni Ina, where the fluvial procession usually starts
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/penafrancia-procession-video-misrepresented-rally-metro-manila/
FACT CHECK: No P60,000 DSWD Christmas bonus for senior citizens
The DSWD has previously debunked false holiday cash gift claims, urging the public to rely solely on its official announcements and channels
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/christmas-bonus-senior-citizens-dswd/
FACT CHECK: Video of liquor ban in select areas is false; links lead to e-commerce site
Liquor bans are situational, tied to elections and local events — not holidays, with fines capped at P6,000
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/liquor-ban-select-areas-links-e-commerce/
FACT CHECK: PCSO scholarship application reel is fake, leads to phishing websites
A circulating Facebook reel sharing registration links for a PCSO scholarship program is AI-generated, with links leading to phishing websites
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/pcso-scholarship-application-reel-fake-redirects-phishing-websites/
FACT CHECK: Imee Marcos remains as senator
Presidential sister Senator Imee Marcos has not been ousted from the Senate
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/senator-imee-marcos-remains-senator/
FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte did not replace Marcos as Army’s commander-in-chief
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains the commander-in-chief of all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Philippine Army
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/sara-duterte-not-replace-ferdinand-marcos-jr-army-commander-in-chief/
FACT CHECK: ‘Highest COA rating’ claim for OVP under Sara Duterte is misleading
Social media posts claiming that the OVP under Sara Duterte received the 'highest COA rating' for three consecutive years are misleading
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/highest-coa-rating-ovp-sara-duterte-misleading/
FACT CHECK: Video of Duterte urging public to support Sara in 2028 is AI-generated
Deepfake detection tool flagged the video as 99.9% likely to contain AI-generated or deepfake content
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/rodrigo-duterte-urge-public-support-vice-president-sara-2028-ai-generated/
FACT CHECK: Marcoleta not replacing Marcos as president
Marcos remains as president and has rejected calls for his resignation
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/rodante-marcoleta-replace-ferdinand-marcos-jr-president/
FACT CHECK: Spliced news report used to falsely claim Duterte is back in PH
The news clip used in the video was reported in March, upon Rodrigo Duterte’s arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after an event in Hong Kong
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/spliced-news-report-falsely-used-rodrigo-duterte-back-philippines/
FACT CHECK: Private plane shown in video not for Duterte’s return to PH
The ICC’s decision to deny Duterte’s appeal for interim release blurs his chance of celebrating Christmas in the Philippines
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/private-plane-not-rodrigo-duterte-return-philippines-december-2025/
FACT CHECK: Christmas bonus links for 4Ps members, non-members, are fake, lead to phishing websites
AI analysis shows the video is 99% AI-generated. The video has no record on official DSWD channels and directs users to forms that collect personal information.
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/4ps-christmas-bonus-links-fake-lead-phishing-websites/
Do you want to learn about keeping safe from scams? Passing along this invitation from one of our partners, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.
They’re holding an event on December 12. Details and programs below. @here
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FACT CHECK: 1990 GMA interview mentioning Marcos is AI-generated
No such interview has taken place, and the video appears to be generated by Sora AI
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/old-gma-interview-mentioning-ferdinand-marcos-jr-ai-generated/
FACT CHECK: No reports of Marcos rushed to hospital due to medical emergency
There is no official statement from Malacañang about Marcos' supposed hospitalization
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/ferdinand-marcos-rushed-hospital-medical-emergency/
FACT CHECK: Castro did not call on Duterte clan to quit gov’t posts to reverse ICC ruling
Castro made no statements about the Duterte family needing to resign their government posts to free ex-president Rodrigo Duterte from his detention at the ICC
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/claire-castro-duterte-clan-quit-government-posts-reverse-icc-ruling/
FACT CHECK: Registration links for free Noche Buena packages are fake
The false claim likely stemmed from recent reports about the distribution of free Noche Buena packages in several cities in Metro Manila
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/registration-links-free-noche-buena-packages/
FACT CHECK: Quote card about Duterte’s health cites fake doctor
The fake quote card shows adult film performer Johnny Sins, falsely named as the ICC’s chief medical officer, supposedly recommending former president Rodrigo Duterte’s immediate release
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/quote-card-rodrigo-duterte-health-cites-fake-doctor/
FACT CHECK: Online list of unconditional cash transfer program recipients is fake
The UCT program already ended in 2020, and the DSWD does not post online lists of its beneficiaries in line with the Data Privacy Act
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/list-unconditional-cash-transfer-program-recipients/
FACT CHECK: No ban on consumption of processed meats; video is AI-generated
The misleading video claims, without evidence, that processed meats like hotdogs and longganisa are made with dog meat
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-ban-consumption-processed-meats-video-december-2025/
FACT CHECK: Kiko Barzaga remains suspended from House
The Cavite lawmaker's 60-day suspension has not been lifted, contrary to the false claim that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and Vice President Sara Duterte have colluded to lift Barzaga’s suspension
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/kiko-barzaga-suspension-house-december-2025/
IFCN statement on US visa restrictions targeting fact-checkers
New visa directives wrongly conflate journalism with censorship
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/ifcn-statement-united-states-visa-restrictions-fact-checkers-december-2025/
FACT CHECK: Fake OWWA scholarship registration links lead to phishing websites
AI analysis shows the image used in the video is 99% AI-generated and likely a deepfake, while the supposed registration links direct users to dubious sites requesting personal information
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/fake-owwa-scholarship-registration-links-lead-phishing-websites/