Former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte has not received an “anti-corruption award” from the US State Department, contrary to false rumors that surfaced in social media posts in February. The claim was originally published by a parody news site in 2021 and resurfaced ahead of mid-term elections that could determine the political future of his daughter, impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was recognized by the US Department of State as one of its 12 International Anti-Corruption Champions for demonstrating leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combatting corruption,” reads part of a Facebook post shared on February 24, 2025.
It includes a picture of the Southeast Asian nation’s former leader.
The post surfaced as campaigning for mid-term elections in the Philippines kicked off, with the political future of Duterte’s daughter in the balance (archived link).
The House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte in early February following the spectacular implosion of the fragile alliance between her family and that of President Ferdinand Marcos.
An impeachment trial, on charges that could see her barred from office, will be held in the Senate where a dozen open seats are up for grabs in the May vote.
Similar claims the ex-president received an award for fighting corruption were also shared on Facebook, including in a pro-Duterte group with over 150,000 members, as well as on Instagram.
“PRRD the best Philippine president. Nobody can put a good man down!” read one comment on the posts, using initials for the former leader.
Another read: “Congratulations! We need to be led by another Duterte — VP Sara Z. Duterte.”
But the former president has not been recognised by the US State Department as an international anti-corruption champion, as the posts claim.
Read the full story on AFP Fact Check.