VERA Files
A supposed transcript of a heated conversation between ex-senator Manny Pacquiao and broadcast journalist Karen Davila that took place in 2019 has reappeared in multiple Facebook (FB) posts. This is fake.
The deceptive posts, which garnered over 88,009 interactions, appeared two days after political consultant Lito Banayo wrote a column where he named Pacquiao as one of potential senatorial candidates in the 2025 midterm elections.
According to the FB posts, Pacquiao supposedly berated Davila for questioning his lack of college education. Allegedly, he said he earned P1 billion despite his lack of experience and asked Davila, a college graduate, if she earned the same from ABS-CBN.
In an interview on ANC dated Feb. 20, 2019, Davila did ask Pacquiao if he has a college degree; he replied he was enrolled but declined to identify the school. The portion where Pacquiao compared his income to Davila’s is fabricated.
At the time, Davila drew flak from the way she asked about Pacquiao’s college degree.
The former senator also issued a statement saying he was not offended by Davila’s questioning.
“I was never offended by her manner of questioning. She is a veteran in the field of broadcasting and it’s her job to ask heavy questions to people she interviews… I’d like to ask: LET US STOP THE HATE,” he said.
Fact checking organizations Rappler and Agence France Presse Philippines first debunked the claim in 2019.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
