Vera Files

“Donald Trump has invited Sara Duterte and her father former president Rodrigo Duterte to visit the United States”

Vera Files says: There has been no public pronouncement from Trump or any of his representatives about inviting Sara and Rodrigo to visit the U.S. Neither did he mention anything about supporting the OVP.

“Former president Rodrigo Duterte says he would stay neutral in the 2025 midterm elections by not endorsing any candidate.”

Vera Files says: Duterte has already endorsed senatorial aspirants running under the PDP-Laban and support party-list groups for the 2025 elections.

“The Vatican forbids Catholics from taking home the cremated remains of their relatives.”

Vera Files says: The CBCP allows cremated remains to be stored temporarily at home up to a year, but only under certain conditions. In 2023, the Vatican allowed requests to keep a portion of cremated ashes – but the CBCP forbids this.

“Citing a VERA Files article, Rep. Robert Ace Barbers claims only 73 persons were killed in anti-drug police operations from July 2022 to the end of 2023.”

Vera Files says: The VERA Files article, written by researchers from UP's Third World Studies Center, noted 342 drug-related deaths in the first year of the Marcos administration alone. The number has grown to 506 deaths by the end of 2…

“An ad of Dr. Kilimanguru shows him endorsing Vascuhealth.”

Vera Files says: The ad used an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated audio clip of Dr. Kilimanguru's voice to sell the product.

“Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Dan Fernandez have been removed as co-chairpersons of the House of Representatives quad committee, and as members of the lower house altogether.”

Vera Files says: There were no moves to expel the two lawmakers from the House nor oust them as chairpersons of two standing House committees which form part of the Quad Committee.

“Facebook pages are imitating the names and logos of popular vehicle manufacturers and dealers to claim that they are giving away free automobiles, motorcycles as well as a cash prize.”

“The Philippine General Hospital and the Food and Drug Administration are promoting Sleepal Gold Colostrum, a milk product for insomnia.”

“Rodrigo Duterte and Bato Dela Rosa claimed that the former president never ordered the killing or "salvaging" of criminals.”

Vera Files says: In some of his public speeches during his presidency Duterte told law enforcers to kill criminals, particularly those involved in illegal drugs, and if they don't fight back, force them to do so. Otherwise, he himself w…

“Ang Bicol Region ay “walang bilyong piso” na alokasyon para sa flood control sa 2023. Ang pondo nito para sa mga pambansang kalsada at pagbaha ay kabilang sa pinakamaliit sa bansa.”

Vera Files says: Ang 2023 General Appropriations Act ay nagpapakita na ang Bicol ang may pangalawa sa pinakamataas na alokasyon para sa pagkontrol ng baha sa mga rehiyon ng bansa, na may kabuuang P29.4 bilyon.

“Bicol Region has “no billion-peso” allocation for flood control in 2023. Its funding for national roads and flood control are among the smallest in the country.”

Vera Files says: The 2023 General Appropriations Act shows that Bicol had the second-highest allocation for flood control among the country's regions, with a total of P29.4 billion.

“Sen. Imee Marcos claims having been the founder and chairperson of Kabataang Barangay from 1975 to 1986.”

Vera Files says: Imee Marcos was already 19, beyond the maximum age limit of 18, in 1975 when her father, then-president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., created the KB by signing the now repealed Presidential Decree 684. Documents show, however, …

“Sinasabi ni Sen. Imee Marcos na siya ang tagapagtatag at tagapangulo ng Kabataang Barangay mula 1975 hanggang 1986.”

Vera Files says: Si Imee Marcos ay 19 taong gulang, lampas sa maximum na limitasyon sa edad na 18, noong 1975 nang nilikha ng kanyang ama, si dating pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr., ang KB sa pamamagitan ng paglagda sa napawalang bisa na…

“Ang Bicol Region ay may P9.4 bilyong budget para sa flood control projects noong 2023”

Vera Files says: Ang 2023 General Appropriations Act ay nagpapakita ng P29.4 bilyong alokasyon sa DPWH para sa mga flood control project sa Bicol Region.

“Eating one malunggay seed every day is an effective cure for over 300 diseases.”

Vera Files says: A health expert told VERA Files Fact Check that the claim appears to be based on folkloric use and that it has little scientific basis.

“The Bicol Region has P9.4 billion budget for flood control projects in 2023.”

Vera Files says: The 2023 General Appropriations Act shows P29.4 billion allocation to the DPWH for flood control projects in the Bicol Region.

“Sinabi ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na siya ay “hindi ganoon kayaman” at hindi niya kayang bayaran ang madalas na paglalakbay sa pamamagitan ng eroplano mula Davao City hanggang Manila.”

Vera Files says: Noong Peb. 16, 2017, si Duterte mismo ang nagsabing hindi mahirap ang kanyang pamilya. Iniulat ng VERA Files na si Duterte ay mayroong hindi bababa sa P211 milyon sa Bank of the Philippine Islands, na hindi niya idinekl…

“Sinabi ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa isang Senate subcommittee na siya ay 73 taong gulang at hindi matandaan ang mga pangalan ng pitong tao sa kanyang death squad.”

Vera Files says: Si Duterte ay 79 taong gulang, hindi 73. Siya ay ipinanganak noong Marso 28, 1945.

“A U.S. court junked serious charges of human trafficking, forced labor, and money laundering after the accused KOJC leader Marissa Dueñas entered a plea bargaining agreement.”

Vera Files says: There are no cases of human trafficking, forced labor and money laundering against Dueñas in the U.S. She was charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., fraud and misuse of visas and marriage fraud.

“Ibinasura ng korte sa U.S. ang mga seryosong kaso ng human trafficking, forced labor, at money laundering matapos pumasok ang akusado na pinuno ng KOJC na si Marissa Dueñas sa isang plea bargaining agreement.”

Vera Files says: Walang mga kaso ng human trafficking, forced labor at money laundering laban kay Dueñas sa U.S. Siya ay kinasuhan ng conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S., fraud and misuse of visas at marriage fraud.