On February 2, Facebook page PH Latest posted a video entitled ‘Leni Nilaglag ng mga Yolanda “victims”… BBM lang ang tumulong’. Instead of showing testimonials of Typhoon Yolanda survivors against Vice President Leni Robredo – as the video’s title purports – the material only showed clips of presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was talking about his plans for the country’s COVID-19 pandemic response. He was shown to be in a room together with some government officials including Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez.

CLAIM:

The video claimed that Yolanda survivors have testified that Robredo is nowhere to be seen in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. It also alleged that only Marcos Jr. extended help to the survivors of the supertyphoon.

RATING:

FALSE

FACTS:

The video was originally posted on Mayor Richard Gomez’s Facebook account on February 1. The post is related to his endorsement of Marcos Jr.’s candidacy.

While the video’s title alleged that testimonials will be shown, the video in itself did not discuss relief efforts after Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck various parts of Visayas back in 2013. No Yolanda victims were shown in the video, and the claim that Robredo was absent in the relief efforts was not supported by any testimonial.

When Typhoon Yolanda struck, Robredo was still a representative for the third district of Camarines Sur. In a Facebook post, Robredo announced a donation drive aiming to help Yolanda victims. Another Facebook post showed the Sikh Indian Community from Naga responding to her call for donations.

The video also purports that Marcos Jr. was the only public official who extended help to Typhoon Yolanda victims. This is patently false. helped the Yolanda Victims. An article published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 2013 listed several government officials, including former Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, former Senator Ralph Recto and Manny Villar, and former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada for leading relief efforts after the typhoon ravaged the Visayas.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Three hours after the video was posted, it has reached 2,500 views, 346 reactions, 61 shares, and 31 comments. As of this writing, the post already gained 5,900 views, 624 reactions, 93 shares, and 43 comments. PH Latest’s Facebook page also has 114,361  followers. – Vanessa Adolfo & Jamaica Marciano

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.