Rep. Ortega condemns “fake news frenzy” following Duterte arrest

HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union on Tuesday strongly condemned the alarming spread of fake news following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, calling it a “national embarrassment” that even the International Criminal Court (ICC) has fallen victim to misinformation.

“The sheer volume of disinformation is not just disturbing—it’s humiliating. Umaabot na sa puntong pati ICC, isang international tribunal, ay nadadamay sa kasinungalingan. Nakakahiya tayo sa buong mundo,” Ortega said.

Ortega pointed to false narratives spread by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, including claims that Duterte was missing and that the ICC was not providing him medical attention.

“Many people were agitated by these misleading statements, and we must hold accountable those who are deliberately peddling fake news to manipulate public perception. Hindi ito simpleng usapin ng opinyon—deliberate disinformation ito na sinasadyang lituhin ang publiko,” Ortega said.

The ICC itself has been targeted by pro-Duterte disinformation, with Presiding Judge Lulia Motoc becoming a victim of fake news and online harassment. 

False claims circulated that Motoc lacked English proficiency, despite official ICC records confirming she is fluent in five languages, including English. 

Other misleading posts falsely linked her to the Marcos family by misidentifying her in a photo with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

“The attacks on Judge Motoc show how far disinformation networks will go to distort reality and discredit legal proceedings. They’re fabricating stories, questioning credibility, and spreading outright lies just to muddy the waters,” Ortega said.

Ortega also denounced the proliferation of fake quote cards falsely attributing statements to global figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump and even fictional character Saul Goodman from the hit American TV crime drama “Breaking Bad.”

“These fabricated narratives are meant to stir chaos and cast doubt on legal proceedings. It’s alarming that some people are so desperate to twist reality that they’ll even invent quotes from fictional characters. Ano na lang ang tingin sa atin ng international community?” Ortega said.

Reports from fact-checking organizations like VERA Files have revealed that much of the disinformation surrounding Duterte’s arrest is pro-Duterte, with false claims spreading across Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. 

These include manipulated videos depicting protests in Argentina and Serbia as supposed rallies for Duterte in the Philippines.

“The ICC’s jurisdiction over the case has been affirmed, yet the same false claims keep circulating, misleading people into believing otherwise. We need to combat this flood of fake news with facts, not propaganda,” Ortega said.

Ortega urged Filipinos to be vigilant and verify information before sharing anything online.

“Sa huli, sino ang talo rito? Tayong mga Pilipino. If we allow fake news to flourish, we lose our credibility as a nation. Let’s not allow disinformation to define our democracy,” Ortega said.