FACT-CHECK: YouTube channel posts false claims on Senate flood control hearing

CLAIM: Some senators and individuals were arrested by the police during the Senate’s inquiry into anomalous flood control projects.

RATING: FALSE

A YouTube channel named “Viral TV” has been uploading a plethora of false claims in relation to the Senate’s ongoing flood projects investigation. 

Flagged Content: A video claiming that Sarah Discaya was arrested on Sept. 5, 2025, and another video claiming that Sen. Jinggoy Estrada fled the country on Sept. 9, 2025.

• The video regarding Discaya’s arrest was titled, “Sarah Discaya, DINAMPOT na ng KAPULISAN sa PAMAMAHAY nito! Tito SOTTO NAGBUNYI sa NALAMAN! BBM BATO.” 
• The thumbnail of the video shows Sarah Discaya allegedly being arrested by the police. 
• The video regarding Estrada was titled, ”Jinggoy Estrada, AGAD na LUMABAS ng BANSA matapos IKANTA ni ENGR. HERNANDEZ! SARAH DISCAYA PBBM CHIZ.”
• The thumbnail of the video shows a picture of Estrada inside a private plane. 

Our Debunk: Both Discaya and Estrada made public appearances after the false claims were made. 

• Based on the Senate of the Philippines’ official livestream on Sept. 8, 2025, Discaya attended the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.
• Furthermore, the photo used in the thumbnail of the video was manipulated using a photo of Discaya taken by Angie De Silva for Rappler. The original unedited photo cannot be found as of writing. 
• As for Estrada, he attended the Senate session on Sept. 10, 2025. 
• Moreover, the photo used in the thumbnail was from a 2023 post of former senator Bong Revilla Jr.

Rewind: These false claims stemmed from controversies surrounding anomalous flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). 

• During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 4th State of the Nation Address on July 28, 2025, he raised possible corruption in flood control projects.  
• On Sept. 1, 2025, Discaya appeared before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, where she admitted that she and her husband Pacifico owned nine construction firms that sometimes bid against each other for public works projects. 
• On Sept 9, 2025, ex-DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez name-dropped Estrada during the House of Representatives “Infra Comm” hearing. 

Why we’re fact-checking this: The “Viral TV” channel peddles false information that generates thousands of views and engagements. 

• As of writing, the YouTube video about Discaya has amassed 33,095 views and 1,800 likes.
• The YouTube video about Estrada has amassed 64,741 views and  1,200 likes. 
• The YouTube channel itself has 599,000 subscribers with a total of 28,610,352 views. 

Spot the fake: News-cycle disinformation peddlers often claim a false closure to an ongoing case. 

• Any news regarding arrests should be obtained from authorized officials, press releases, or official documents. 
• Double-check timestamps and assess if the claim is feasible given the timeframe.   Ysabel Javier

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