Charles Teves
Sen. Ping Lacson has seemingly fallen for fake news as well.
In a tweet, the presidential aspirant shared a news report by Journal Online allegedly quoting Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison about advising Vice President Leni Robredo’s presidential campaign.
“Is this true? Are they that desperate to win?” he said.
Is this true? Are they that desperate to win? … https://t.co/crip8kOAZD
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) April 22, 2022
The quotes in the story appear to be fake, as confirmed by Sison himself.
In a statement sent to Philstar, Sison denied advising Robredo but thinks she is the most qualified out of all the presidential runners.
“I have not been advising Leni Robredo, although I think that she is a far more qualified candidate for president,” he said in a private message to journalist Jonathan de Santos.
So, I asked: pic.twitter.com/QR18ol49xV
— Jonathan de Santos (@desamting) April 22, 2022
The story, which said that Ang Bayan carried the statement, claims that rebels have already “infiltrated” Robredo’s campaign.
“I presume that the Ang Bayan, official publication of the Communist Party of the Philippines, will deny the fake report,” Sison also said.
Barry Gutierrez, Robredo’s spokesperson, shot down the article. He denies being in talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines about campaign strategies.
Absolute lie. Nabaliw na yata yung writer. Desperate much? pic.twitter.com/8zXgse8lEF
— Barry Gutierrez (@barrygutierrez3) April 22, 2022
The CPP also denies collaborating with Robredo.
“There was never such a news item published in Ang Bayan,” CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena.
Lacson being a former PNP chief, just disappointed his followers.
Mr. Lacson, you've been a police general & a PMAer. Do you really believe in this lies & fake news? Its the reporter who claims about what Joma Sison said? If it's really true then where is the video that Joma said those things? Please don't act like one of BBM trolls.
— Michael S. Garcia (@MichaelSGarcia9) April 22, 2022
You may ask any of your staff to fact check it for you, Sir? 🙂 https://t.co/UG7HDJdf0h
— Jace Trabuco (@imjaytrabuco) April 22, 2022
Reported as misleading> politics> election information.
Acting like a troll, treat like a troll. https://t.co/OcKNj12Tao
— Henobeba (@henobeba) April 22, 2022
“Is this true?” is code for “I want to malign someone but I don’t want to be accused of spreading fake news. So I give myself wiggle room to deny maligning someone later.” https://t.co/GccxeXbfjQ
— yvanyonaha (@yvanyonaha) April 22, 2022
@iampinglacson are you that desperate to win??? #fakenews https://t.co/4yEaHFLA2F
— LEMON KING (@kingsxxii) April 22, 2022
