VERA Files

VERA Files is a nonstock, nonprofit, independent media organization. Founded in March 2008, it is published by veteran Filipino journalists taking a deeper look into current Philippine issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”

Institutions

PH notes errors in ICC ruling on drug probe, presses for reversal

The International Criminal Court (ICC) made “legal errors” in its decision to allow the resumption of its investigation into the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs and should reverse the ruling, the government said in its appeal brief filed on March 13.

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Divorce bill ok’d on House committee level, NOT yet law

A video circulating on social media carried a misleading claim about divorce finally being “approved” in the Philippines. The video, posted by a TikTok user on Feb. 24 and re-uploaded on Facebook the next day, contained text that read: “Sa wakas

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Remulla did NOT jail Negros Oriental rep over gov’s slay

A Facebook (FB) page is erroneously claiming that Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has ordered the imprisonment of Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. over the murder of his province’s governor, Roel Degamo. On March 11, the FB page published a

March 17, 2023

Institutions

Indio-Genius: Kidlat Tahimik subverts Philippine colonial history

Galleon ship and Dap-ay Images courtesy of the National Museum of the Philippines and R.C. Ladrido Kidlat Tahimik unleashes the full force of his creative energy in a massive exhibition, INDIO-GENIUS: 500 Taon ng Labanang Kultural (1521-2021), at the National Museum of

March 17, 2023

Institutions

Marcos Lies – VERA Files

I have been privileged with a review e-copy of an extraordinary book recently released by UP Diliman’s Third World Studies Center. Many books have been written on the Marcoses’ plunder and the atrocities committed by their conjugal autocracy. “Marcos Lies” is the

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Video about P1,000 cash aid for senior citizens NEEDS CONTEXT

A YouTube video claimed that senior citizens would receive a total of P1,000 cash aid from the Philippine government to help them cope with rising prices caused by inflation. This needs context because not all seniors will receive this monetary assistance. Posted

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Marcos did NOT appoint Marcoleta to a cabinet post

Two YouTube videos falsely claim that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has appointed SAGIP Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta as a cabinet member. This is not true. An 11-minute and three-second video posted on March 7 bore this false headline: “KAKAPASOK LANG DlLAWAN

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Pahayag ni Marcos sa bumababang utang ng gobyerno nakaliligaw

Iginiit ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. sa iba’t ibang post sa social media na bumaba ang pangungutang ng pambansang pamahalaan mula P2.58 trilyon noong 2021 hanggang P2.16 trilyon noong 2022, na nagpapatunay na epektibo ang patakaran sa pamamahala ng budget ng

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Russia DID NOT donate a warship ‘now in Mindanao’

A video of a South African frigate escorted by a helicopter is being passed off as a gift from Russia that has “arrived in Mindanao.” This is false. Russia has not sent any vessel to the Philippines and the two have no

March 17, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Marcos’ claim on decreasing gov’t debt misleads

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in various social media posts, claimed that 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. This is misleading. STATEMENT Captions in

March 17, 2023