FACT-CHECK: Sen. Robin Padilla did not file Senate bill allowing dead to vote

admin 10:19 AM

CLAIM: Sen. Robinhood Padilla filed Senate Bill No. 2028 that seeks to allow dead persons to vote, to help Vice President Sara Duterte win the presidency in 2028.

 

RATING: SATIRE

 

A satirical Facebook page posted that Sen. Robinhood Padilla had filed a bill on June 1, allowing dead persons to vote through the help of their family representatives to ensure the election of Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2028 presidential election.

Flagged content: The satirical Facebook page “Malacañang Republic” posted a card and a three-paragraph caption with the hashtags “#News,” “#Philippines,” and “#Duterte,” mimicking the style of a news media outlet.

  • The page claimed Padilla held a press briefing to discuss Senate Bill No. 2028.
  • It attributed a quote to the senator, claiming that he said, “The dead built this republic. Their wisdom and sacrifices should not end at the grave.”
  • The card had a very small “satire” disclaimer in the lower-right corner, so some Facebook users missed it.

Our debunk: Article V of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that all Filipino citizens who are at least 18 years old and who have resided in the country for at least one year can exercise their right to vote, provided they are not otherwise disqualified by law.

  • Article V also requires Congress to design a voting system for people with disabilities and illiterate voters to allow them to vote independently, without relying on other people.
  • Contrary to the satirical claim, this provision underscores the principle that voting is a personal right that must be exercised by the voter themselves and cannot be delegated to any representative.
  • The official Senate website contains no record of a Senate Bill No. 2028 as described in the satire post.

Why we fact-checked this: While “Malacañang Republic” labels its page as “satire/parody” and includes a disclaimer on every post, some users seem to believe its content is factual, as shown in the comments section.

  • As of writing, the satirical post has gained 5,600 reactions, 305 comments, and 293 shares. 

Spot the fake: Always be cautious of the pages that mimic the name of any official institution. 

  • Check the profile of the pages you encounter on social media before sharing their content. 
  • Always cross-check information found on social media with official government websites and reputable news media organizations. Leigh San Diego 


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