FALSE

What appears to be a news graphic quoting Philippine presidential candidate Francisco Domagoso, known by his screen name Isko Moreno, as making derogatory remarks about a former political ally has been shared in multiple Facebook posts. However, the graphic is fake. The media outlet whose logo appears on the image said it did not produce it, and a representative for Domagoso denied he made the comments.

Manila Mayor Domagoso is one of ten candidates running for the presidency in May.

He ranks a far third in the most recent voter preference surveys, behind frontrunner Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Vice President Leni Robredo.

The posts appeared after Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, a district representative from the Muslim-led Bangsamoro region, switched his support to Robredo after previously vowing to back Domagoso.

The purported news graphic — which bears the logo and social media pages for the Philippine broadsheet Manila Bulletin — was posted on Facebook on April 26, 2022.

Read the full story on AFP Fact Check.

AFP launched its digital verification service in France in 2017 and has grown to become the leading global fact-checking organisation, with dedicated journalists in countries from the United States to the Philippines. Our journalists monitor online content in local languages. They take into account local cultures, languages and politics and work with AFP’s bureaus worldwide to investigate and disprove false information, focusing on items that can be harmful, impactful and manipulative.