FACT CHECK: Links for national ID holders to register for cash aid are fake

2026-02-11 - 08:36

Claim: All national ID holders will receive cash assistance ranging from P10,000 to P20,000 upon registration through links included in social media posts. Rating: FALSE Why we fact-checked this: Two Facebook reels were posted by the page “Malasakit News Update: Balitang Sapat, Serbisyong Totoo” on February 4. In the first video, the narrator states: “Lahat ng may national ID mabibigyan kayo ng P20,000 cash assistance mula sa aming management. Magpalista lang sa link na nasa post namin, i-share ang video ng sampung beses, at dapat naka-follow ka sa page namin.” (Everyone with a national ID will be given P20,000 cash assistance from our management. Just register through the link in our post, share the video ten times, and you must follow our page.) The second video promises P10,000 and states: “Ikaw ba ay may national ID? Maaari kang makatanggap ng P10,000 mula sa amin. Tingnan sa aming post ang registration form upang makasali. Siguraduhin na naka-follow ka at nai-share mo ang video na ito ng sampung beses. I-comment mo din kung taga-saan ka.” (Do you have a national ID? You can receive P10,000 from us. Check our post for the registration form to participate. Make sure you follow and share this video ten times. Comment where you’re from.) Both videos contain a disclaimer saying the aid is not connected to any government agency. It also contains links to the supposed registration page and a page purporting to provide more details about the program. As of writing, the first video has over 10,700 likes, 4,800 comments, and 13,000 shares, while the second has over 3,100 likes, 1,700 comments, and 4,700 shares. Collectively, both videos have garnered over 590,000 views, with some social media users complying and sharing personal information in the comments section. The facts: The registration links in these posts are fake and lead to unrelated e-commerce sites. The posts may also expose social media users to phishing scams, as they encourage interested cash aid applicants to share sensitive personal information in the comments section publicly. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing) While the posts include disclaimers of being unaffiliated with government agencies, the videos use AI-generated footage made to look like a news broadcast and include imagery — such as the Philippine flag and a logo similar to those typically used by government departments — that may mislead social media users. No cash aid program: There is no official cash assistance program for national ID holders. The Philippine Statistics Agency (PSA), the implementing agency of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys), has earlier issued a public advisory warning against such scams. “Being registered to PhilSys and/or having the national ID does not automatically make an individual eligible to receive any cash benefits from the government, such as social protection programs,” the PSA clarified. The PhilID is recognized as valid proof of identity for government transactions, including applying for cash assistance, but eligibility for benefits remains subject to the specific rules of each agency. National ID: The PhilSys National ID is the government’s centralized identification system for all Filipino citizens and resident aliens. Registration is conducted at designated PSA registration centers and is completely free. (EXPLAINER: How Filipinos can get a digital national ID) The PSA urges the public to report fraudulent activities related to PhilSys through its official channels. Scammers caught using PhilSys for fraud face fines of P1 million to P3 million and imprisonment from three to six years under Republic Act 11055. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.