FACT CHECK: Social media card of Leviste tagging Paolo Duterte in flood control mess is fake

2026-01-30 - 07:36

Claim: Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste named Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte as among the “big fish” involved in the flood control project anomalies, as seen in an ABS-CBN News social media card. Rating: FALSE Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the video containing the social media graphic has garnered 352,600 views, 2,257 likes, and 947 comments. The video was posted on TikTok by Insider PH, an account that has repeatedly published false claims using the ABS-CBN name and logo. The supposed news card has circulated on other platforms, including on a Facebook post by Mark Carlo Tanaya and on posts by multiple accounts on Instagram. The quote card reads, “Rep. Leviste napaluha sa kanyang press release at sinabing isa si Paolo Duterte sa mga ‘Big Fish’ ng flood control anomaly.” (Rep. Leviste teared up in his press release and said that Paolo Duterte is one of the “big fish” in the flood control anomaly.) The image features photos of Leviste and Duterte, alongside the ABS-CBN News logo and branding. The facts: There is no ABS-CBN News social media card or article in which Leviste identified Duterte as a key figure in the flood control project scandal.