Charles Teves
As expected, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr’s winning the presidency could only mean that disinformation would continue to prosper in the country.
Related research suggested that Marcos Jr’s benefited the most from fake news, while Vice President Leni Robredo was the top target of [negative] disinformation.
Despite losing in the national elections, Robredo and failed vice-presidential running mate Sen. Kiko Pangilinan still find themselves as the subjects of attacks via false rumors.
Recently, a man who stalked Robredo [in New York] has maligned her on social media by making her designer items a hot topic.
“Nice Balenciaga and Hermes,” said the stalker who pretended to be a supporter to get a picture with the vice president.
Critics proceeded to buy the claim that Robredo was flaunting her wealth.
Napansin ang 128K na regalong bag. Pikit mata sa ninakaw na 10 B dolyar no Sr. At 203 B piso na unpaid estate tax.
Ang lala no? pic.twitter.com/MlM5NRAi3j
— Ubuntu (@Tagbusaw) May 20, 2022
But the designer bags she carried was a gift from a Kakampink. The stalker got revealed as an illegal immigrant who graduated from Ateneo de Davao.
Another post attacking Robredo claimed that she slept for five hours awaiting her flight to New York. However, the woman in the photo is her daughter, Tricia.
fake news peddler talaga anu? pic.twitter.com/B6yb4KOCeE
— Ibanag In the City (@ibanaginthecity) May 20, 2022
Pangilinan also got his fair share of being the victim of fake news.
Mark Lopez, a well-known propagandist, alleged the senator of plotting to lead an EDSA 4 revolution after losing the vice-presidential race.
LOL! Walang kuwentang gaslighter amp. pic.twitter.com/DB04YyoleZ
— Bart Guingona (@guingonabart) May 21, 2022
Pangilinan took the liberty to respond to Lopez, clarifying that he’s tending to one of his farms.
“Dear MARK, Hindi makatotohanang paratang. Ako’y nasa aming farm ngayon mula pa noong Huwebes. Tama na ang paninira ng kapwa. Kung may mga kausap man ako ay mga gulay at mga beteranong mga native na baboy dito sa ‘porks park’ sa farm. Salamat!” he wrote.
Lopez thanked Pangilinan for clearing the air.
“Salamat po sa sagot sa malinaw naman na tanong. Mas maganda po sana kung live nyo sinagot para naman mas ma appreciate namin yung pakikihalubilo nyo sa mga sinabi nyo na kausap nyo. And at the same time, mag bigay na rin po sana kayo ng malinaw na concession statement para mawala na yang mga “paratang” na sinasabi nyo. Salamat po muli,” he said.
Pangilinan, a surrogate for the embattled farmers, previously said he wouldn’t stop working to see more families fed.
“Samantala, balik farming ang isa sa mga una sa agenda kasama sina Jenn at Jona ng Sweet Spring Country Farm. Anuman ang maging resulta ng halalan, kailangan pa rin kumain ang taumbayan at kakailanganin pa rin ang mga magsaka. Tuloy pa rin ang gawain sa sakahan. Kikilos pa rin!” he said.
