Vera Files

“The International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines. The Philippines has no legal or moral obligation to cooperate with the ICC.”

Vera Files says: The ICC retains jurisdiction over any crimes that occurred in the Philippines when it was still a state party from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019. A former state party like the Philippines is not cleared of its obligati…

“ANC published an article on Doc Willie Ong's interview about Dianorm, a product he developed that can cure blood pressure-related conditions”

“A person with an unhealthy lifestyle is more likely to suffer from heat stroke”

“Red-tagging is a term coined by communist terrorist groups.”

Vera Files says: A 2011 study of Germany-based non-profit International Peace Observers Network (IPON) traced the origin of red-tagging or red-baiting to the 1950s in the United States (U.S.). At the time, then-Republican senator Joseph…

“About 200 Chinese militia vessels were recently detected in the West Philippine Sea in March 2023 and the US is taking action against the threat”

“Jollibee is hosting a lucky draw for P7,000 in line with its 44th anniversary”

“The U.S. donated 1,000 military tanks to the Philippines”

“Videos show God has appeared to mankind though an image of Jesus Christ behind clouds”

“China and Australia had a military confrontation, and Indonesian forces are training with Filipinos to prepare for war”

“Papalapit na ang administrasyong Marcos sa pangako noong kampanya na ibababa ang presyo ng bigas sa P20 kada kilo.”

Vera Files says: Bagama't tama na ang well-milled rice ay mabibili sa halagang P25 kada kilo, kailangang linawin na ito ay makukuha lamang sa mga tindahan ng Kadiwa na pinamamahalaan ng National Food Authority (NFA). Sa katunayan, ipina…

“The Marcos administration is getting closer to the campaign promise of bringing down the price of rice to P20 per kilo.”

Vera Files says: While it is correct that well-milled rice can be bought at P25 per kilo, it should be clear that this is available only at the Kadiwa stores managed by the National Food Authority (NFA). In fact, the Department of Agric…

“The U.S. and the Philippines are planning to strike a Chinese vessel sailing on the West Philippine Sea in a “joint operation” that will involve 17,000 troops”

“The national government’s borrowing decreased from P2.58 trillion in 2021 to P2.16 trillion in 2022, proving that his administration’s budget management policy is effective.”

Vera Files says: The figures are referring only to gross borrowings or new debt that the government has incurred. While it is correct that these have decreased, the Freedom from Debt Coalition points out that the outstanding or total na…

“The Philippines' inflation rate is "still one of the lowest in the world.”

Vera Files says: Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines' inflation is the sixth highest recorded in 2022. Economic experts say that even if the Philippine economy posted growth, inflation grew faster since December…

“Ang Pilipinas ay may ganap na gumaganang sistema ng hustisya at, sa ilalim ng complementarity test, ang ICC ay walang hurisdiksyon sa mga mamamayang Pilipino.”

Vera Files says: Nakasaad sa Paragraph 2, Article 127 ng Rome Statute, ang kasunduan na nagtatatag ng ICC, na ang isang state party ay hindi nalilibre sa mga obligasyon nito sa panahon ng pagiging miyembro nito kahit kumalas na ito. Ang…

“The Philippines has a fully functioning justice system and, under the complementarity test, the ICC has no jurisdiction over Filipino citizens.”

Vera Files says: Paragraph 2, Article 127 of the Rome Statute stipulates that a state party is not exempt from its obligations for the duration of its membership even if it has withdrawn. The Philippines was a state party from Nov. 1, 2…

“Ang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao noong pamumuno ni Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ay napatunayang hindi totoo at imbensyon at propaganda lamang ng oposisyon.”

Vera Files says: Dokumentado ng Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission ang 11,103 biktima ng ang mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa rehimeng Marcos na itinuturing na karapat-dapat na tumanggap ng mga kompensasyon na nagm…

“The human rights violations during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. had been proven to be false and were mere invention and propaganda by the opposition.”

Vera Files says: The Human Rights Violations Victims’ Memorial Commission has documented 11,103 Filipinos who suffered abuse under the Marcos regime and eligible to receive compensations from the P10- billion fund from the Marcos Swiss …

“MakeItMakati movement says it has agreed to maintain the protected bike lanes on Ayala Avenue after consultations with transport advocates.”

Vera Files says: MakeItMakati announced on Feb. 9 that bike lanes on Ayala Avenue will be converted into shared lanes or sharrows beginning Feb.15. On Feb. 14, the movement said the conversion has been deferred until March 6.

“Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa and former president Rodrigo Duterte are among those charged before the International Criminal court for crimes against humanity over the killings related to the drug war.”

Vera Files says: The ICC probe is still in the preliminary investigation stage and no suspect has been charged. Although Dela Rosa and Duterte were named in the 2021 request of former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to launch an investiga…