FACT CHECK: Video of liquor ban in select areas is false; links lead to e-commerce site

Claim: Starting December 7, a liquor ban will be imposed in select areas of the country, with fines amounting to between P25,000 to P200,000.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: On December 1, the Facebook page “TNC Nationwide” posted a video styled as a newscast, with the announcer claiming: “Total liquor ban na bawal na magtinda ng alak simula December 7. May multang 25,000 hanggang 200,000 sa mga lugar na nasa listahan.”  

(Total liquor ban, selling of alcohol is prohibited starting December 7. Fines from P25,000 to P200,000 in listed areas.)  

The video then instructs viewers to check links in its caption and comments for the supposed list of affected areas. Its comment section shows mixed reactions, with some users opposing the alleged ban and others supporting it. 

As of writing, the video has gained over 1 million views, 9,000 reactions, 678 comments, and 4,000 shares.

The facts: There is no nationwide liquor ban in select areas of the country beginning on December 7. No recent memorandum or law imposes this. 

The video used in the claim is AI-generated. A Google Gemini watermark is visible in the bottom-right corner of the clips. Gemini uses Veo 3, an advanced AI text-to-video generator. 

Hive Moderation also flagged the video as 92.1% likely to contain AI-generated content or deepfake.  

The links included in the post are also fake. Instead of leading to any official government list of areas under a liquor ban, they redirect to an e-commerce website, as verified through Bitly. 

Imposing liquor bans: Nationwide liquor bans in the Philippines are situational, not seasonal. They are most strictly enforced during elections, when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibits alcohol sales and consumption to maintain order. 

These restrictions are temporary and localized, not blanket holiday measures. Under the Omnibus Election Code, violators can face one up to six years in jail. 

The recent midterm elections implemented the said ban and imposed a P1,000-P6,000 fine, contrary to the larger amount being claimed. Local governments typically impose bans during major events, such as Manila’s Feast of the Black Nazarene, Cebu’s Sinulog parade, and Quezon City’s State of the Nation Address in 2025.  

AI-generated claims: Rappler has already flagged multiple viral posts that relied on AI‑generated videos to spread false claims:

• FACT CHECK: ‘Pamaskong handog’ news report is AI-generated, link redirects to shopping site
• FACT CHECK: Registration links for PWD cash aid lead to phishing, shopping sites
• FACT CHECK: No P80,000 cash aid for all senior citizens, video is AI-generated
• FACT CHECK: Registration links for ‘Christmas bonus’ payouts lead to phishing site
• FACT CHECK: Links listing side effects of COVID-19 vaccines lead to phishing, shopping sites 

– Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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