FACT-CHECK: Marcos teary-eyed during 1986 Ted Koppel interview

Aug 30, 2022 | Fact Checked by PressOnePH

Marcos was defiant during the April 1986 interview broadcast over the ABC television network, contrary to BBM SARA Tv’s narrative.

Claim: The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was teary-eyed during his interview with ABC News’ Ted Koppel in 1986

Rating: Missing Context

 

Facebook page “BBM SARA Tv’s” video on Aug. 12 claimed the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos had to wipe his tears amid a “senseless” TV interview with American journalist Ted Koppel in 1986, sans any context about his serious health condition during that time.

“Nakakadurog ng puso ang makitang pinapahiram (sic) ang luha ng dating Pangulo Ferdinand E. Marcos sr dahil lamang sa walang kwentang interview,” the video caption claimed.

Marcos however was defiant during the April 1986 interview broadcast over the ABC television network, contrary to BBM SARA Tv’s characterization. The video has been viewed more than 27,000 times.

Just two months after his ouster by the EDSA People Power revolt, Marcos, who had been exiled to Hawaii, claimed to be the legitimate president and denied stealing from public coffers.

Marcos could be seen wiping his watery eyes during the TV interview, but the video did not mention that months prior, Marcos was reported as suffering from lupus, a disease that caused kidney problems.

The Los Angeles Times reported in January 1986 that Marcos often dabbed his watering eyes.

“During appearances before reporters last week, Marcos’ eyes were often watery and bloodshot,” the Associated Press (AP) reported in February 1987.

Marcos in fact hid his illness from the public.

Left behind in Malacañang were a “hospital bed beside his canopied bed, oxygen tanks, vials and syringes arranged on a side table,” another AP report, dated March 12, 1986, said.

 

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