FACT CHECK: Arroyo’s ‘message’ to lawmakers pushing for VP Sara impeachment is fake

Claim: Former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said that lawmakers are pushing for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment to stop her from becoming president, knowing that if Duterte wins, she would get back at her critics for trying to hinder her presidential bid.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the post bearing the claim has 5,200 reactions, 631 comments, and 654 shares. Rappler also found at least five Facebook posts with similar claims.

The posts feature a quote card with a statement attributed to Arroyo. It reads, “Magsasabi lang ako ng katotohanan sa mga congressman at senador na ayaw maging presidente si Sara Duterte. Tamaan na ang tatamaan, magalit na kayo sa akin, kaya ayaw ninyong maging presidente si Sara Duterte kasi alam ninyong babalikan at ipapakulong kayo. Lahat ginagawa ninyo para hadlangan ang kandidatura niya. Iyan ang katotohanan.”

(I’m telling the truth for all the congressmen and senators who do not want Sara Duterte to become president. You can get angry with me, the reason why you do not want Sara Duterte to be president is that you know that she will get back at you and put you in jail. You are doing everything to hinder her candidacy. That is the truth.)

The facts: Arroyo did not make the statement. A member of Arroyo’s staff debunked the fake quote card in a May 19 post on the Pampanga lawmaker’s official and verified Facebook page, which reads, “The statement shown in this viral social media graphic was never issued by former president and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The quote and accompanying claims are fabricated and should not be considered authentic or official.” 

“The public is encouraged to remain cautious, verify information through credible and official sources, and refrain from immediately sharing edited graphics or fabricated statements that may mislead the public and contribute to the spread of disinformation,” it added.

Duterte impeachment: In February, Duterte announced that she will run for president in 2028. The announcement came amid the House of Representatives’ expected initiation of new impeachment proceedings against her, which — if successful — will bar her from public office.

On May 11, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte for the second time, with a total of 257 lawmakers voting to indict the Vice President, 25 opposing, and 9 abstaining. Arroyo, long known as a Duterte ally, was among the lawmakers who did not participate. (READ: How did lawmakers vote on Sara Duterte’s second impeachment?)

Duterte is accused of alleged misuse of confidential funds, fabrication of submissions to the Commission on Audit, bribery of education officials, accumulation of unexplained wealth, and apparent threats to the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family.

The Senate convened as an impeachment court on May 18 and will start Duterte’s trial on July 6, according to Senator Erwin Tulfo.

Fact-checked: On April 2, Rappler fact-checked a post falsely claiming that Arroyo has been appointed as the new House speaker and that she dismissed Duterte’s impeachment complaints. – Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com

Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.

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