FACT CHECK: Video of Marcos and Romualdez laughing about ‘fooling’ the public is AI-generated

Palace officials have publicly criticized Representative Edgar Erice for what they describe as unfounded theories regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s stance on former Speaker Martin Romualdez. On Thursday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro addressed Erice's recent criticisms, challenging him to provide factual support for his claims. She accused the lawmaker of basing his arguments on speculation rather than verified information. Erice had previously expressed concerns over Marcos' handling of the situation involving Romualdez, particularly following the President’s remarks during his State of the Nation Address (SONA). In an interview, Erice characterized Marcos’ actions as mere optics, suggesting that the President was prioritizing image over justice. This led to a direct confrontation between Erice and the Palace, which emphasized the need for evidence-based discourse. Meanwhile, a viral video circulating online purported to show Marcos and Romualdez laughing together after allegedly misleading the public. The video, shared on Facebook by a page titled “Canadian Tambay,” claimed the pair were discussing how they had “fooled” the public with Marcos’ statements against Romualdez. The clip included dialogue in Filipino, with Romualdez appearing to comment on Marcos’ actions before both burst into laughter. However, multiple AI detection tools have identified the video as AI-generated. DetectVideo AI assigned an 80% likelihood that the footage was entirely synthetic, with only a 7% chance it was genuine and a 13% probability it was manipulated. Sightengine further confirmed the findings, giving the video a 98% chance of being AI-generated and noting no signs of face manipulation. These assessments suggest the video is not based on real footage. The video sparked outrage among some social media users who believed the content depicted a real conversation between the two figures. The post received over 1,900 reactions, 330 comments, and more than 1,000 shares, drawing criticism from viewers who felt the video portrayed the politicians negatively. Despite the attention, no credible source has confirmed the authenticity of the scene, and no official records back up the claim. During his SONA address on July 27, Marcos announced that the Ombudsman would investigate Romualdez for alleged plunder and graft related to the flood control scandal. The President emphasized his commitment to justice, stating, “Masakit man sa akin ito, ngunit kailangan nating gawin ang tama. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay Pangulo ng Pilipinas, at ang tungkulin ko ay sa inyo: ang aking mga kapwa Pilipino.” (Painful as this is for me, we have to do what is right. I am not the president of my family. I am not the president of my friends. I am the President of the Philippines, and my duty is to you, my fellow Filipinos.) Romualdez has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that he has done nothing wrong. In a statement responding to Marcos’ remarks, he acknowledged the emotional impact on their family but reaffirmed his readiness to defend himself through legal channels. “Ang tama ay ang sumunod sa proseso at hayaan ang ebidensya ang magsalita,” he wrote, emphasizing the importance of due process. The growing rift between Marcos and Romualdez reflects broader tensions within the administration, particularly around corruption allegations linked to the flood control project. As the situation develops, both sides will likely continue to engage in public debates, with the Palace maintaining its focus on transparency and accountability. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the AI-generated video underscores the challenges of distinguishing truth from fabrication in the digital age.