A Facebook user posted a manipulated photo showing Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo with bloodshot eyes.
Netizen Augusto Cantos shared the meme on Facebook group DUTERTE PARA SA BAYAN on Oct. 27, which said:
HINTAYIN NYO AKO MAGING PRESIDENTE GAGAWIN KONG LEGAL ANG SHABU (Wait until I become president, I will make shabu legal.)
It also bore the caption:
Siya ga ang tumutulong sa ating mahal na pangulo para maiangat ang buhay ng mga tao sa ating bansa o siya ang kontra bida na mangugulo sa ating gobyerno na papunta na sa magandang kinabukasan (Is she helping our dear president improve the lives of the people in our country or is she the antagonist who will disrupt our government that’s already headed towards a bright future)?
No news reports or official statements indicate that Robredo said the quote attributed to her. A Rappler fact check in August 2018 debunked a similar claim.
A reverse image search shows the original photo was taken on April 10, 2016, the day of the vice presidential debates, and tweeted by Robredo’s daughter, Tricia. A comparison of Cantos’ post and the original image reveals the manipulated photo was flipped and Robredo’s eyes were reddened.
President Rodrigo Duterte dared Robredo on Oct. 28 to head the anti-illegal drugs operations in the country for six months after she urged the administration to stop its ineffective campaign in a Reuter interview. Robredo on Nov. 6 accepted the president’s offer to co-chair the Interagency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD).
The post garnered 605 reactions, 391 comments and around 1,200 shares on Facebook as of this writing, according to social media analysis tool CrowdTangle. (GA, EB, BM)
References
@jpgrobredo. (2016, April 10). “Mama, how are you feeling?” Tune in to CNN Philippines at 5PM #LabanLeni #LeniIsMyVP [yellow heart emoji][prayer emoji]. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/jpgrobredo/status/719067942713827328/photo/1
ABS-CBN News. (2019, November 6). 'Handa ba kayo?': Robredo accepts Duterte challenge to lead inter-agency committee vs illegal drugs. [Video file.] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=P4_Vpnd7StA&feature=emb_logo
Augusto, C. (2019, October 27). Siya ga ang tumutulong sa aing mahal na pangulo para maiangat ang buhay ng mga tao sa ating bansa o siya ang kontra bida na mangugulo sa ating gobyerno na papunta na sa magandang kinabukasan? [Facebook post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/groups/302109643587395/permalink/812426819222339/
Imperial, M. (2018, August 16). HOAX: ‘Robredo;s legalize shabu article on Rappler.’ Rappler.com. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/209686-hoax-robredo-legalize-shab u-article
LENI=LOSER!!! [Facebook post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/DuterteSer ye02/photos/a.233566710337313/618110145216299/?type=3&theater
Petty, M. (2019, October 23). Philippine vice president says time for Duterte to halt failed drug war. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-politics/philippine-vice-president-says-time-for-duterte-to-halt-failed-drug-war-idUSKBN1X21DQ
News5Everywhere. (2019, October 28). Duterte, may hamon kay Robredo. [Video file.] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5AMX_2HcVc
PinoyNews24. (2018, November 24). PCOO Usec Badoy blasts Leni. Retrieved from https://balitangbalita.com/2018/11/24/pcoo-usec-badoy-blasts-leni/