TikTok user @Muamed posted a snippet from the February 27 CNN Presidential Debates, showing presidential aspirant Ka Leody De Guzman raising the peace sign. The video shows the caption, “Leody de Guzman secretly endorses BBM.”

The peace sign is a famous hand gesture usually associated to the Marcos Jr. campaign. Comments in the video further asserted that Leody’s choice of a red shirt was also a secret sign of support, as red is the official campaign color used by the Marcos Jr. camp.

CLAIM:

Presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman is “secretly endorsing” Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

RATING:

FALSE

FACTS:

The TikTok video did not provide any compelling evidence to support its claim, apart from de Guzman’s use of the peace hand gesture. Reviewing de Guzman’s public statements, never has the labor leader talked about the Marcoses without discussing the issues surrounding their family.

In fact, the labor leader has been consistently vocal in his stances against Marcos Jr. In an interview with ABS-CBN, he goes as far as urging voters to reject Marcos Jr. even if they decide not to vote for him.

De Guzman often calls out Marcos Jr. for his non-filing of income tax returns (ITRs) from 1982 to 1985, saying that it is unacceptable to have a candidate that refuses to pay taxes and does not care about government processes. De Guzman also criticized Marcos Jr. for repeatedly defending his father’s regime, despite evidence of corruption and human rights violations perpetrated during the late dictator’s Martial Law rule.

WHY IT MATTERS

As of writing, the TikTok video has 71,700 likes, 3,438 comments, and 1,314 shares. Meanwhile, the TikTok user @Muamed currently has 1,270 followers. — Lyka Naranjo & Philip Mateo

Altermidya Network is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, email info@factsfirst.ph.

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