ALTERED PHOTO: Poster says Bicolanos ashamed of Leni Robredo

At a glance

• Claim: An alleged photo of Bicol residents shows them posing underneath a sign that says, “Taga-Bicol kami. Kinahihiya namin si Leni (We are from Bicol. We are ashamed of Leni).”
• Rating: ALTERED PHOTO
• The facts: The original photo of the poster dated September 27, 2012 contained the words, “Physicians for Peace celebrates Jesse’s life for PWDs (persons with disabilities).” 
• Why we fact-checked this: Several posts of this altered photo were spotted on Facebook and Twitter.

Several posts on Facebook and Twitter posted a photo showing Bicol residents posing underneath a sign that says, “Taga-Bicol kami. Kinahihiya namin si Leni (We are from Bicol. We are ashamed of Leni).”

The photo was uploaded on June 1, 2016 by Facebook pages “Pres. Ferdinand Emmanuel E. Marcos” and “Team Hopia Philippines.” with a caption: “Ang tunay na saloobin ng mga taga-bicol. Wala naman nagawa sa amin dito sa Bicol ang babae na iyan (This is the true sentiment of the Bicolanos. Leni Robredo hasn’t accomplished anything in Bicol).”

Although the claim was posted four years ago, the same photo continued to circulate in 2018 and in 2021. This claim was also shared to a Facebook group “PHILIPPINE FEDERAL MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL” in 2016 and to “Pulso ng mga Pilipino” in August 2021. As of writing, it has gained a total of about 37,000 reactions, 5,000 comments, and 30,000 shares.

This is an altered photo. The original poster dated September 27, 2012 contained the words, “Physicians for Peace celebrates Jesse’s life for PWDs (persons with disabilities).” 

Physicians for Peace also uploaded the photo with the original text of the poster. The sign was used in an event organized by doctors who went to Naga City to honor Vice President Leni Robredo’s late husband Jesse Robredo.

In 2018, Robredo already debunked this claim along with other false claims against her: “Ito lang masasabi ko: Hindi maganda ang pagka-edit (This is what I have to say: The editing was poorly done),” said the Vice President. – Jene-Anne Pangue/ Rappler.com 

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.