FACT-CHECK: Vice President Sara Duterte did not say she could spend P125 million in an hour or in a minute

Sep 29, 2023 | Fact Checked by PressOnePH

 A Facebook post used an edited graphic to spread a false quote from Vice President Sara Duterte.

CLAIM: Vice President Sara Duterte said “So what if I spent my 125 million pesos confidential funds in 19 days or 11 days as what the COA said? I can spend it in an hour or in a minute if I want to. That money is intended for my office and I can spend it the way I want it to be spent. By its nature it’s CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS and you have no business scrutinizing what is confidential.”.”

Rating: FALSE

A Facebook post used an edited graphic to spread a fake quote from Vice President Sara Duterte.

The graphic featured a photo of the vice president with the false quote:

“So what if I spent my 125 million pesos confidential funds in 19 days or 11 days as what the COA said? I can spend it in an hour or in a minute if I want to. That money is intended for my office and I can spend it the way I want it to be spent. By its nature it’s CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS and you have no business scrutinizing what is confidential.”

Duterte allegedly made the statement on Sept. 25, 2023.

The doctored graphic featured the logo of Sonshine Media Network, Inc. (SMNI) of staunch Duterte ally, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

There is no record of the vice president ever saying those words nor is there such graphic posted on SMNI’s social media channels.

 

The original graphic was posted on SMNI’s X (formerly Twitter) account on Sept. 5. The fake quote was apparently posted on that graphic.   — Rommel F. Lopez

 

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