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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
An impostor Facebook page of the Philippine General Hospital posted an edited video of a Filipino physician promoting an unregistered product
Claim: A Filipino physician is advertising a cream for curing hemorrhoids, as posted by the Philippine General Hospital.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook page named “Philippine General Hospital” posted the video on April 28, 2025. As of writing, the video has garnered 3,500 views.
In the video, Filipino physician Krizzle Luna is shown, saying that people who experience or endure hemorrhoids should try “Hemocare,” an alleged Japanese-formulated cream.
She further alleges that the product is composed of natural ingredients, is safe to use, and is effective. The caption states that it should be used twice or thrice daily for a cure within one to two weeks.
The post also included a website link where buyers could allegedly purchase the product.
The facts: A reverse image search revealed that the false claim used a 2024 TikTok video of Luna discussing the benefits and implications of engaging in a sexual activity. Both the audio and her mouth movements were only manipulated to make it seem like she is endorsing the supposed cream.
Debunked: In a March 13 statement released on its official Facebook page, the PGH reminded the public that it maintains only one official page and does not endorse any product.
“Huwag maniwala sa fake news at false advertisement na nagpapakilalang konektado sa University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital,” it added.
(Do not believe fake news and false advertisements claiming to be connected to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital.)
Fake Facebook page: The Facebook page that posted the advertisements only copied and used the official logo of PGH. In its bio, it claimed to have over 500,000 likes and 600,000 followers, compared to the actual figures of 11 likes and 12 followers. The PGH’s official Facebook page has 135,000 likes and 143,000 followers.
It also wrote in its bio that it has a perfect 5-star review rating, though its actual review count is zero.
Furthermore, the fake page’s transparency report indicates that four of its administrators are based in Vietnam.
Suspicious link: The link provided in the caption directs to a suspicious “Tondo Hospital Tokyo” website, which is non-existent.
The fake website contains dubious information about hemorrhoid implications and solutions, product recommendations and reviews from doctors and consumers, and an alleged order form. This order form requires buyers to input their name, phone number, and address, potentially exposing the public to phishing attempts (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing).
FDA registration: There is no product registered named “Hemocare” or “Herbal Hemorrhoid Cream” in the FDA’s list of registered products, despite the fake website showing an alleged FDA certificate of registration.
Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked claims from fake PGH Facebook pages. The hospital has been a frequent target of fake advertisements:
- FACT CHECK: PGH, DOH not endorsing ‘nutritional milk’ for liver disease
- FACT CHECK: PGH not endorsing a milk drink to cure hepatitis
- FACT CHECK: Fake UP-PGH page posts AI-edited bone and joint pain ‘cure’ ad
- FACT CHECK: Fake Philippine General Hospital page promotes arthritis ‘cure
– Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a third year college student and an alumna of Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024.
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.
