A circulating video showing former Vice President Leni Robredo is not a call for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to resign amid corruption issues. The footage dates back to 2021 and commemorates the anniversary of Martial Law under the Marcos Sr. regime. It has been repurposed to create a false impression against the current administration.
On November 22, a video went viral on Facebook appearing to show Naga City Mayor and former Vice President Leni Robredo calling for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s resignation. It garnered 425,000 views, 6,300 reactions, 2,400 shares, and 1,600 comments. In the clip, Robredo states: “…ulit-ulitin, sa bawat pagkakataon, ang katotohanan: Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos, nagdusa ang Pilipino — ninakawan, tinorture, at pinaslang; ginamit ang ngalan para ibaon ang bansa sa utang, at pagbabayaran ang utang na ito hanggang sa mga susunod pang henerasyon.” (We should repeat, at every opportunity, the truth: Under the Marcos regime, Filipinos suffered — robbed, tortured, and murdered; the country’s name was used to bury it in debt, and succeeding generations will pay for this debt.) Overlaid text reads: “Bumaba ka na Marcos” (Step down, Marcos) and “Tama po Mam Leni, kung may konsensya pa sya bumaba na BBM” (That’s right, Ma’am Leni. If he still has a conscience, BBM should step down).
Rappler's fact check reveals the video was originally posted on September 21, 2021, as a message for the 49th anniversary of martial law declared by the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. It does not target the current president but addresses the historical Marcos regime. Robredo added: “Ipinapaalala sa atin ng kasalukuyang sitwasyon kung kailan malinaw ang pagsisikap na baluktutin ang katotohanan ng malagim na kabanatang ‘yon: Kumukupas ang alaala; kung minsan, nabibili ang plataporma; ang kuwento, nabubura.” (The current situation reminds us of efforts to distort that dark chapter: Memories fade; sometimes platforms are bought; stories are erased.) She urged Filipinos to speak out, warning that silence allows wealth and power to rewrite history.
In 2021, Marcos Jr. was signaling a presidential run for the 2022 elections, prompting Robredo to consider her own candidacy. They became fierce rivals, with Marcos winning. The misleading video surfaced amid corruption allegations against the administration, including ghost flood control projects and claims by former lawmaker Zaldy Co of P57 billion in kickbacks and a P100 billion budget insertion to Marcos and ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The fact check underscores the need for caution with social media to combat disinformation. (Rappler)