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Duterte, The One-Man Fake News Machine? Lawmakers Fire Back At 'Father Faker'
FILE
It looks like former President Rodrigo Duterte has ruffled some feathers again—this time by claiming that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is turning into a dictator. But lawmakers from the House of Representatives aren’t having any of it.
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega didn’t mince words, calling Duterte and his allies a “factory of fake news”—churning out one misleading claim after another. And in a fiery clapback, he even took a jab at Duterte’s reputation for spreading disinformation.
“So ewan ko, ano bang tawag mo dun? ‘Father faker’? ‘Mother faker’? Ewan ko, paano natin tatawagin sila? Fakerist? Parang mga super villains,” Ortega quipped.
Ortega said Duterte’s camp constantly twists facts, exaggerates events, and even fabricates data—and when they’re caught? They simply brush it off as a joke.
“Diktador ba ‘yun?”
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong also came to Marcos' defense, flipping the narrative back on Duterte.
“Diktador ba ‘yung minumura ka? ‘Yung tatay mo gustong ipahukay at itapon sa dagat? ‘Yung asawa mo tine-threaten? ‘Yung Speaker of the House gusto nilang alisin?” Adiong asked.
He pointed out that despite the endless personal attacks, Marcos has never retaliated—something dictators don’t exactly do.
Adiong also emphasized that under Marcos, the judiciary remains independent, and no opposition senators or justices have been politically removed or jailed.
“Pinakamabait na Presidente?”
House Assistant Majority Leader Ernix Dionisio added his take, saying Marcos is far from a dictator.
“Sa recent Presidents natin, si Pangulong Bongbong yata ‘yung isa sa pinakamabait,” he said.
Dionisio called on Filipinos to pause and reflect before believing in wild accusations.
“We’re attacking our fellow Filipinos—pero para saan? Dahil ba may basehan? O dahil gusto lang manira?” he asked.
The Joke’s on Duterte?
Ortega’s “Father Faker” label seems to sum up what these lawmakers think of Duterte’s claims. Whether you agree with them or not, one thing’s for sure: the battle of narratives in Philippine politics isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega didn’t mince words, calling Duterte and his allies a “factory of fake news”—churning out one misleading claim after another. And in a fiery clapback, he even took a jab at Duterte’s reputation for spreading disinformation.
“So ewan ko, ano bang tawag mo dun? ‘Father faker’? ‘Mother faker’? Ewan ko, paano natin tatawagin sila? Fakerist? Parang mga super villains,” Ortega quipped.
Ortega said Duterte’s camp constantly twists facts, exaggerates events, and even fabricates data—and when they’re caught? They simply brush it off as a joke.
“Diktador ba ‘yun?”
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong also came to Marcos' defense, flipping the narrative back on Duterte.
“Diktador ba ‘yung minumura ka? ‘Yung tatay mo gustong ipahukay at itapon sa dagat? ‘Yung asawa mo tine-threaten? ‘Yung Speaker of the House gusto nilang alisin?” Adiong asked.
He pointed out that despite the endless personal attacks, Marcos has never retaliated—something dictators don’t exactly do.
Adiong also emphasized that under Marcos, the judiciary remains independent, and no opposition senators or justices have been politically removed or jailed.
“Pinakamabait na Presidente?”
House Assistant Majority Leader Ernix Dionisio added his take, saying Marcos is far from a dictator.
“Sa recent Presidents natin, si Pangulong Bongbong yata ‘yung isa sa pinakamabait,” he said.
Dionisio called on Filipinos to pause and reflect before believing in wild accusations.
“We’re attacking our fellow Filipinos—pero para saan? Dahil ba may basehan? O dahil gusto lang manira?” he asked.
The Joke’s on Duterte?
Ortega’s “Father Faker” label seems to sum up what these lawmakers think of Duterte’s claims. Whether you agree with them or not, one thing’s for sure: the battle of narratives in Philippine politics isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Feb 24, 2025
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