Fake claims about Marcos resignation are misleading tactics

MANILA, Philippines — Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has condemned false claims that the Supreme Court (SC) has received a petition demanding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s resignation. He called these claims a "desperate tactic" to distract the public from real issues. Adiong stated that spreading such lies online is reckless. He emphasized that it diverts attention and confuses the public. Reports on social media claimed a petition with 16 million signatures had been submitted to the SC. However, the court clarified that they had not received any such petition. The SC spokesperson, Camille Ting, confirmed that no documents regarding this petition exist. She mentioned that the misinformation originated from questionable Facebook accounts. The SC promised to investigate these false claims and consider sanctions against those responsible. Adiong asserted that misinformation is a significant threat to national stability. He urged the public to be cautious and verify information before sharing it. He emphasized the importance of accountability for those spreading false information. Other lawmakers have also criticized the rampant disinformation on social media, especially following controversies related to former President Rodrigo Duterte. They highlighted that such false narratives harm the country's reputation and interfere with legal matters.