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

Business groups’ turnabout should stop the Cha-cha flutter

With at least six big business groups backpedaling on their support for amending the “restrictive” provisions of the 1987 Constitution, Charter change advocates in Congress should now lay the issue to rest. Business leaders representing the Makati Business Club (MBC), Financial Executives

March 27, 2023

Institutions

The crime (and punishment) of Imelda Marcos

Maler, Trinidad, Rayby, Palmy, Vibur, Aguamina, Avertina, Azio, Verzo, Wintrop-Charis, Scolari – the Swiss bank accounts holder Jane Ryan had a knack for inventing swanky names to hide her identity. Those were the names of foundations that acted as fronts to receive

March 26, 2023

Institutions

Project Hulmahan: Shoe molds that now last and last

Text and photos by Elizabeth Lolarga The molds or shoe lasts, hulmahan in Filipino, from the Marikina shoemakers were headed for their last journey as firewood or panggatong. But largely through the initiative of civic-spirited Zena Bernardo, the shoe lasts reincarnated into

March 26, 2023

Institutions

Claim that unhealthy lifestyle a risk for heat stroke NEEDS CONTEXT

A person with an unhealthy lifestyle is more likely to suffer from heat stroke, an alternative medicine practitioner claimed in a Facebook (FB) Reel. This needs context as there are other factors that increase the risk of body overheating. “Unhealthy lifestyle po.

March 24, 2023

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Pamphlet in NICA orientation bears wrong definition of red-tagging

In early March, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) in CALABARZON hosted an orientation for government employees to discourage them from joining groups like Kilusang Mayo Uno and Alliance of Concerned Teachers. After the event, the attendees were given a pamphlet which

March 24, 2023

Institutions

‘Jollibee’ 44th Anniversary Lucky Draw is FAKE

Another scam is targeting netizens, this time claiming fast food giant Jollibee is hosting a “lucky draw” for P7,000 in line with its “44th anniversary.” The links, circulating on Facebook (FB) and FB Messenger, lead to bogus websites. VERA Files Fact Check

March 23, 2023

Institutions

Videos of Jesus Christ appearing in the sky are FAKE

Two Facebook (FB) reels claiming that God has appeared to mankind though an image of Jesus Christ behind the clouds has gone viral two weeks ahead of Holy Week. These are fake. On March 17, an FB user published the short video

March 23, 2023

Institutions

ICC lets victims participate in appeal proceedings of drug probe, denies PH access to their identities

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has allowed alleged victims of the drug war under the Duterte administration to present their views on the government’s opposition to the resumption of the tribunal’s investigation into the bloody campaign. In a statement issued on March

March 23, 2023

Institutions

Claim on 200 Chinese militia vessels in WPS, U.S. action vs China MISLEADS

A video posted on YouTube and Facebook (FB) presented as “breaking news” footage of the alleged presence of 200 Chinese militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea and actions taken by the United States’ (U.S.) against the threat. This is misleading. The

March 23, 2023

Institutions

U.S. DID NOT donate 1,000 military tanks to the Philippines

A YouTube video falsely passed off old clips of armored fighting vehicles to claim that the United States (U.S.) gave “for free” 1,000 military tanks to the Philippines. The U.S. has made no such donation. The two-minute-17-second video posted on March 15

March 23, 2023