CLAIM: Deo Balbuena, also known as Diwata, is running for senator in the 2025 elections.
RATING: FALSE
A Facebook user falsely claimed that Deo “Diwata Pares” Balbuena was running for a senatorial position in the 2025 midterm elections.
The Facebook user posted a video of Diwata answering questions from the media, with the caption “Diwata, my senator.”
Other users either reposted the video or shared different photos and clips of Diwata, but all had the same caption saying he’s running for senator.
On Oct. 2, Diwata filed his certificate of candidacy as the fourth nominee of the Vendors Party-list, joined by his co-nominees Tita Malu Lipana and Lorenz Pisigan at the Manila Hotel.
Diwata also uploaded a vlog about his filing on his official YouTube channel.
It is also evident from Diwata’s official Facebook page that he is running for the Vendors Party-list, as he frequently posts content wearing shirts with the party’s name.
As of writing, the video has drawn 2.9 million views, 43,000 comments, 36,800 reactions, and 3,300 shares on Facebook. Leigh San Diego
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