On April 21, Journal News published a news article under the byline of a certain Lee Ann P. Ducusin claiming that the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder and current National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) chief political consultant, Prof. Jose Maria Sison admits to acting as adviser to Vice President Leni Robredo and her spokesperson Atty. Barry Gutierrez.
Journal News’ article featured quotes from Sison and lines allegedly coming from Ang Bayan, the official publication of the CPP, which supposedly confirmed the CPP’s influence in Robredo’s campaign.
The article went on to claim that “an intelligence officer” shared a “tactical intel report” to Journal News Online warning that Gutierrez is involved with the CPP’s local machinery and is instrumental in “a dialogue” between Robredo and Sison.
The story was shared by Senator Panfilo Lacson asking in a tweet “Are they desperate to win?” The same issue was also featured on free TV through Net25’s “Mata ng Agila,” the station’s primetime news broadcast.
CLAIM:
Joma Sison & the CPP admit to advising VP Robredo in her presidential campaign
RATING:
FALSE
FACTS:
In a statement on April 22, Prof. Sison condemned the Journal News article, calling it ‘fake news,’ and explaining that he has never advised nor consulted with Robredo or Gutierrez. Sison also noted that he has never been interviewed by any reporter from Journal News.
The CPP on the other hand, through its Chief Information Officer, Marco Valbuena tweeted that the article is “pure fiction posing as news.” Clarifying that Ang Bayan never published any article that stated its support for Robredo, Valbuena called the Journal News article “basura [trash].”
Gutierrez on his part called the article an “absolute lie.”
Journal News and Net25’s shared story is the latest in a series of disinformation that attempted to link Robredo and other opposition figures to the CPP. Previous fact-checks from #FactsFirstPH have already established such links as false.
It should be noted that the article in question is not the first of its kind written by Ducusin, who authored similar articles on red-tagging, red scare, and posing unsubstantiated claims by quoting dubious sources.
Journal News, along with tabloid newspapers People’s Journal, People’s Tonight, and Women’s Journal, is owned by Philippine Journalists Inc., a company owned by Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who is the cousin of Robredo’s rival in the presidential race, Marcos Jr.
WHY IT MATTERS:
This is not the first time that VP Robredo was linked to communist groups in an attempt to vilify her candidacy. While Robredo’s camp has repeatedly brushed aside these allegations, more disinformation materials like these still sprout without basis. – Vivian Vera
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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