Fake news vs First Family began amid rift with Sara Duterte -Palace

Malacañang stated on Tuesday that the First Family became a target of fake news following a political rift between them and Vice President Sara Duterte.

''Ever since, tina-target na sila ng fake news. Hindi ito bago, simula nang hindi naging maayos ang pagtingin ni VP Sara sa pamilya Marcos, nag-start na po ang fake news,'' said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro in a press briefing.

(Ever since, they have been the target of fake news. This is not new—when VP Sara's relations with the Marcos family soured fake news started.) 

However, Castro clarified that she was not accusing the Vice President of being behind the misinformation targeting President Marcos and his family.

''I'm not accusing anybody, but a lot of people are propagating misinformation against the President and the country,'' she said. 

Castro also addressed claims that a recent photo posted of First Lady Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos had been edited, dismissing the allegations and challenging accusers to prove their claims.

''Nakakatawa po, una sino po ba nagsabing edited? Di po ba kung sila 'yung nagsasabing edited, i-prove nila na edited, nandodoon po ba sila sa okasyon? Kasama po ba sila doon? Noong mga araw na 'yun, nandoon po sila sa venue?'' she asked.

(It's funny—who said it was edited? If they are making that claim, they should prove it. Were they present at the event? Were they even at the venue?) 

Regarding the President’s response to the spread of fake news, Castro noted that while he was "slightly affected," he instructed the Presidential Communications Office to counter misinformation, not just for himself but for the country.

The controversy stemmed from a photo posted on the First Lady’s official Facebook page on March 22, showing a "Regular meeting of the Asian Cultural Council" at the Pangarap Clubhouse, Malacañang Park, on March 21, 2025. — DVM, GMA Integrated News