Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel is not in hiding

The claim: Kabataan Representative Raoul Manuel is currently in hiding because of charges filed against him for his statements on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. related to the death of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video with the claim, posted on October 23, has garnered over 314,000 views and 5,400 likes. A similar video posted on Facebook has also gained more than 169,000 views and 4,300 likes.

The bottom line: Manuel is not in hiding.

He made a public appearance on October 23 on the DYHP Cebu’s Pandayan sa Baruganan Radio Program to promote wage increases and workers’ rights in Cebu. A few days earlier, on October 20, Manuel advocated for the implementation of a mandatory scouting program for Filipino students instead of the initially proposed mandatory Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) course at the tertiary level.

The supposed charges: The video cited SMNI host Jeffrey “Ka Eric” Celiz, who claimed that Philippine National Police Chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. called on Manuel to face charges for his statements against Marcos. Manuel condemned the Marcos administration during the October 4 protest on the death of broadcaster Percy Lapid.

Officials, including Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, only warned the legislator about potential charges for his statement. However, as fact-checked by Vera Files, no legitimate report indicates that a warrant of arrest was issued to Manuel. To add, no proof of Azurin’s summons can be found on either the PNP’s official FB page or its website.

In an FB post on October 24, Manuel denied allegations of him being jailed. Kabataan Party List’s official page did not also confirm any charges against its representative as it did when Kilusang Mayo Uno international officer Kara Taggaoa and PASODA (Pasiklab Operators and Drivers Association) president Larry Valbuena were held in custody. – Kyle Nicole Marcelino/Rappler.com

Kyle Nicole Marcelino is a Rappler intern. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s internship program here.

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