FACT CHECK: No, Malabon congressman Oreta did not slam Sara Duterte’s travels

Malabon City Congressman Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III did not make the claim that Vice President Sara Duterte was spending too much time traveling to The Hague while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. worked on the country's modernization, according to his office. The claim, which was shared on Facebook by the Malabon Standard on August 5, suggested that Duterte was preoccupied with international visits while Marcos focused on national reforms. However, Oreta’s office confirmed via email to Rappler on September 30 that the statement had no basis in any verified source or official record. It stated that Oreta had not made such remarks in interviews, speeches, or any recorded appearances. The Facebook post, which received over 43,000 reactions and 14,000 comments, has been widely shared on social media platforms including Instagram. Despite the widespread circulation, Oreta has not officially flagged the post as false information. His office emphasized the importance of relying on verified information, particularly regarding statements attributed to public officials. Rappler previously debunked a similar false claim attributed to Oreta, which falsely claimed he wished for Duterte’s death. That post was later marked as false by Meta and acknowledged as such by Oreta himself. Oreta was among the 257 lawmakers who voted for Duterte’s second impeachment. In 2019, he faced threats of arrest from then-President Rodrigo Duterte over the drug situation in Malabon. Meanwhile, another legislator, Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr., criticized Duterte’s recent overseas trip to five countries, calling it a betrayal of public trust. Duterte is currently facing charges related to alleged death threats, misuse of funds, and corruption allegations.