FACT CHECK: Photo of Martin Romualdez, other lawmakers with cash is fake

Claim: A photo shows House Speaker Martin Romualdez holding a wad of cash on a table while speaking with his fellow lawmakers, following the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The photo uploaded on Thursday, February 6, 2024, has gained over 1,700 likes, 1,500 comments, and 1,600 shares, as of writing.

“After impeachement…If the price is right everything is alright,” the caption reads.

Aside from Romualdez, the misleading photo also features Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chief Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, Mandaue City Representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon, presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, and Zamboanga City 2nd District Representative Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe.

The facts: The circulating photo of Romualdez and other lawmakers with a stash of cash on the table has been manipulated.

The original photo shows a folder sitting on top of the table, not cash. The original photo was uploaded by Ouano-Dizon on her Instagram on May 24, 2023. She gave photo credits to Bohol 2nd District Representative Maria Vanessa Aumentado.

“Closely working with the Speaker of the House, Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, to deliver quality programs and projects to the Lone District of Mandaue. Meeting together with Majority Floor Leader Mannix Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Floor Leader Sandro Marcos, & Chairman Kiko Benitez,” the caption reads.

The House of Representatives also flagged the said photo.

“The spread of disinformation like this is a dangerous threat to democracy and responsible governance. It erodes trust, manipulates public perception, and distracts from real issues that affect our nation. We must be vigilant against those who twist reality for their own agenda,” the House of Representatives said in a Facebook post.

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Sara’s impeachment: The fake photo surfaced just a day after Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives.

Except for Benitez, all of the lawmakers featured in the photo signed the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

She was impeached on the grounds of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

The complaint also cited an assassination threat made by Sara against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez as a key basis for her impeachment. – James Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com

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