FACT-CHECK: First couple did not disrespect national anthem during South Korean president’s palace visit

CLAIM: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos disrespected the Philippine national anthem during the visit of the South Korean first couple to Malacañang. 

RATING: FALSE

A Facebook post falsely claimed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos did not place their right hands over their chests during the singing of the Philippine national anthem, in contrast supposedly to the South Korean first couple, who showed respect.  

Flagged content: The Facebook post was uploaded on March 4 with a false caption accusing the president and first lady of disrespect. 

• The post featured a screenshot from an RTVM livestream of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and his wife’s state visit to Malacañan Palace on March 3.
• The first paragraph of the caption reads, “Ang [Korean] president nag respect sa [Bayang Magiliw,] pero ang president ng [Pinas]. Bangag pa ata di man [lang] ni respect ang Lupang [Hinirang]…omg! Halatang [walang] pagmamahal sa bansa natin.” (“The Korean president respected the Bayang Magiliw, but the president of the Philippines, I think he is foolish, he didn’t even respect [the] Lupang Hinirang…omg!  It’s obvious that he doesn’t love our country.”)

Our debunk: The image posted was a screenshot during the singing of the Korean national anthem, hence the Korean president and first lady’s salute.

• Marcos Jr. and the first lady can be seen in the livestream saluting during the playing of the Philippine national anthem. 

Rewind: The post surfaced a day after the Korean president’s arrival in the Philippines for a state visit. 

• President Lee was invited to the Palace on March 3. It was the first such visit since the Philippines-South Korea Free Trade Agreement took effect on Dec. 31, 2024.

Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the Facebook post has drawn over 97,000 reactions, 8,000 comments, and 6,000 shares. 

• Facebook user “Abby Timcang” has over 9,000 followers.

Spot the fake: Stay vigilant against suspicious and inflammatory posts.

• Check with official websites and reputable news outlets to confirm the facts. Khloe Lim

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