Vera Files

“Video shows the Aurora Borealis being visible across Metro Manila.”

Vera Files says: PAGASA said the pink lights captured in the video are not the Aurora Borealis but a reflection of lights coming from a nearby building.

“DOLE’s TUPAD Program is offering cash for qualified students.”

“The Investments Promotion Agencies approved almost P1.7 trillion in investments in various sectors in 2023, which are expected to create 108, 000 jobs.”

Vera Files says: Approved investments are pledges or commitments by Filipino or foreign investors. Not all approved investments materialize. These go through a gestation period from approval to the time a business is established and del…

“A Chinese ship was bombed by the combined naval forces of the Philippines, United States and Australia.”

Vera Files says: The ship shown in the video is not from China. It was the XBRP Lake Caliraya, a decommissioned ship of the Philippine Navy, used as a target for the 2024 Balikatan live-fire demonstration.

“German and Chinese ships clashed on the West Philippine Sea.”

Vera Files says: Germany did not have an encounter with Chinese ships. The video narrator never mentioned this false claim nor gave evidence to support the claim in their video.

“Video shows a seaplane that assists in the operations at the BRP Sierra Madre outpost.”

Vera Files says: Germany did not have an encounter with Chinese ships. The video narrator never mentioned this false claim nor gave evidence to support the claim in their video.

“The Department of Health is giving away free medical insurance for senior citizens.”

Vera Files says: The ad for a supposed free medical insurance for senior citizens from the Department of Health came from a source not affiliated with the health department.

“Troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have been deployed in the West Philippine Sea to launch an armed offensive against China.”

Vera Files says: The parties to the dispute and the contested territory are not under NATO’s operational mandate.

“Bangko Sentral Governor Eli Remolona Jr. received a "net pay" of P35.48 million in 2023.”

Vera Files says: Based on the Commission on Audit's 2023 Report on Salaries and Allowances, Remolona's compensation of P35.48 million was "gross of tax," meaning that taxes and other deductions have not been taken into account.

“Former president Rodrigo Duterte tells China's Global Times that he "really love[s] China more than the Americans.”

Vera Files says: In the same interview with the Chinese Communist Party's flagship newspaper, Duterte said he "want[ed} to be neutral" and "tried to craft an independent foreign policy, not really against America."

“The Department of Justice is preparing a briefer on the legal options that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could take in the event the International Criminal Court issues warrants of arrest for those identified in its probe of the drug-related killings during the Duterte administration.”

Vera Files says: The DOJ briefer is intended to provide the president legal measures he could take and does not signify a change in the administration’s policy of not cooperating with the ICC.

“Radiologist and content creator Dr. Alvin Francisco promoted a brand of glutathione collagen gummies.”

“Ang Department of Education ay namimigay raw ng ayuda para sa mga estudyanteng ga-graduate.”

“Ang Pilipinas, America, Japan at Australia ay nagsama-sama para atakehin ang China sa West Philippine Sea.”

“President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has directed the armed forces to “retaliate against China” and called the alleged “gentlemen’s agreement” between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping “treasonous.”

“The government’s Malasakit Centers are giving away educational assistance worth P6,000.”

“Sara Duterte-Carpio is the only vice president in Philippine history to have been elected with more votes than the president”

Vera Files says: There were six people who won the vice presidency with a higher vote count and percentage than their respective presidents.

“The Philippines, Australia, Japan and the United States have banded together to attack Chinese forces in the West Philippine Sea.”

Vera Files says: While the Philippines and its three allied nations have agreed for stronger maritime cooperation, they have not announced anything about staging an armed attack against China. Defense chiefs from the four countries just…

“The Department of Education is offering cash assistance for the graduation expenses of students.”

Vera Files says: All these are scams. The DepEd has no financial assistance program specifically catering to graduation expenses.

“Leni Robredo was appointed as education secretary”