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

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Ad with Vergeire promoting hypertension cure FAKE

Another paid ad on Facebook (FB) claimed that former acting Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire revealed the ‘truth’ while promoting a cure for hypertension. This is fake. The alleged cure – which was not mentioned – supposedly cleans blood vessels and removes

April 4, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Surigao del Sur Governor latest victim of DEATH HOAX

A Facebook (FB) page is claiming that Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel has passed away due to lung cancer. This is not true. Uploaded on April 1, the post bore the caption: “REST IN PEACE GOV. AYEC PIMENTEL We are

April 4, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Marcos DID NOT declare war on China

A YouTube video suggests that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared war against China, and that he will be expelling the Chinese ambassador. This is not true. Marcos did not sign an order declaring war on China. Rather, he signed Executive Order (EO)

April 3, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: The world will NOT be dark for 3 straight days

A Facebook (FB) Reel claimed that the earth will be covered in darkness for three days starting April 8. This is false. “The news… is a hoax. There is no scientific evidence to support its existence, and its origins are unclear,” the

April 3, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Video of Jessica Soho promoting a food supplement AI-ALTERED

There is a video of broadcaster Jessica Soho supposedly endorsing a product for ovarian cancer circulating on Facebook (FB). This is fake and uses clips manipulated through artificial intelligence (AI). Uploaded on March 17, the three-minute and 52-second video contained clips supposedly

April 2, 2024

Institutions

Ano ba’ng mga ganap ng fact checkers?

International Fact-Checking Day ngayon… of course meron kaming video na ginugunita ang araw na ‘to! Ngayong araw ng katotohanan, alamin natin ang totoong ganaps ng mga fact-checkers mula sa reporters ng VERA Files. Panoorin ang video: Source Music credits to Fuzzball Parade

April 2, 2024

Institutions

The making of Baste Duterte as a killing mayor

His first kill order came naturally from none other than his own father, the former president. Even before Baste could become mayor, at his miting de avance for the 2022 elections, the father told the crowd what he had advised his son:

April 1, 2024

Institutions

Why won’t they heed people’s voice vs Cha-cha?

Opposition to Charter change has doubled from a year ago despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for it. According to the latest Pulse Asia survey results, the number of people who don’t want the 1987 Constitution amended has jumped from 45% in

April 1, 2024

Institutions

Why China blocks bringing of construction supplies to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal

When former president Rodrigo Duterte agreed with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping to not repair the BRP Sierra Madre, he was, in fact, abandoning the Marines valiantly manning the rusting ship, which has become a heroic symbol of the Philippine’s resistance against

March 31, 2024

Institutions

A poem for Cecile Licad from National Artist for Literature

Cecile Licad with PPO music director Grzegorz Nowak. Perfect partnership between soloist and conductor in a long, long time. Even as the good reviews are pouring in from both audience and cultural cognoscenti, National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario did a unique

March 30, 2024