FACT CHECK: Deepfake video of Sara Duterte used in fake investment ad

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The video background used in the deepfake was a clip of the Vice President’s interview in Melbourne, Australia, on June 22

Claim: Vice President Sara Duterte is promoting an investment plan that claims to pay out as much as P1 million per month following an initial payment of P15,000.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The claim can be found in a video on two Facebook posts on July 12; one is from the page “Mosco” with around 1,300 reactions, 303 comments, and 125 shares as of writing, and another is from the page “Verdie Purdy” with around 1,600 reactions, 308 comments, and 170 shares as of writing.

The video, with the caption “Sara Duterte’s post trial interview! She told the truth!” shows a likeness of Duterte speaking about the supposed investment plan. It also has the logo of the ABS-CBN show TV Patrol on the upper right portion.

Each post has a link below the video that, when clicked, leads to an external website that was made to look like the official Associated Press (AP) website. 

The facts: The video shown in the Facebook posts is a deepfake. Duterte is not endorsing any supposed investment plan.

The background of the video was from an interview that the Vice President conducted while in Melbourne, Australia, on June 22; an example of a legitimate video of the interview can be found on the ABS-CBN News official YouTube channel. 

In the interview, Duterte spoke about various topics, including her views on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration, her ongoing impeachment, and the health condition and interim release possibilities of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC). She did not mention any investment scheme.

Dubious site: The external website that masquerades as an AP website seems to be a phishing site, which steals personal information through deception. Its Uniform Resource Locator is not from the legitimate AP website. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)

Updates on impeachment and ICC case: The Dutertes currently face a string of controversies. Sara Duterte is challenging her impeachment before the Supreme Court, with the High Court asking the House of Representatives and the Senate for comments and additional information related to the impeachment. (READ: SUMMARY: What are details SC requires from Congress in VP Sara impeachment?)

Meanwhile, the Duterte patriarch is seeking temporary freedom, with the ICC prosecution expressing its strong opposition to his interim release to a country of his choosing. As of writing, there is no update yet on whether Duterte will be granted interim release. 

Ahead of the former president’s confirmation of charges hearing on September 23, the prosecution has also recently disclosed evidence to the Duterte camp, which includes information about the witnesses against Duterte. 

Previous related fact-checks: Rappler has published several fact-checks of deepfake videos aided by artificial intelligence (AI). A recent one, published on July 15, is of a deepfake video in which a likeness of Senator Bam Aquino can be seen promoting a similar investment scam. 

Here are some of Rappler’s articles about deepfakes and the various ways to spot them:

• Philippines faces rising AI-driven disinformation (December 13, 2024)
• How to spot a deepfake video: Motivation, telltale signs, the larger narratives (September 30, 2024) 
• Deepfake technologies ramp up disinformation on diabetes ‘cures’ (August 27, 2024)
• Deepfakes: How to empower youth to fight the threat of misinformation and disinformation (February 10, 2024)

– Percival Bueser/Rappler.com 

Percival Bueser 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.

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.