Congressman’s Office Denies False Statement on Fuel Prices Amid Rising Tensions

The office of Cagayan de Oro Representative Lordan Suan has firmly denied a viral social media post attributing fabricated statements to the congressman about fuel prices. The post, which has gained significant traction online, falsely quoted Suan telling constituents they need not worry about rising fuel prices as long as Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains president.

The fabricated quote card circulated by a Facebook page called “Birada Kagay-an” features Suan’s photo with text in the local dialect stating: “My beloved people of District 1, while PBBM is our President, we should not worry about the increase in the price of gasoline.” The post has accumulated over 4,300 reactions, 1,700 comments, and 200 shares as of reporting.

In response to the misinformation, Suan’s office issued a categorical denial, stating that the congressman “never made this statement” in any form, context, or official communication. A spokesperson emphasized, “We would like to firmly clarify that this is likewise not a statement made by Cong. Suan in any form or context.”

The timing of this fabricated statement is particularly notable as it emerges amid heightened public concern over fuel price volatility triggered by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Oil price fluctuations have become a sensitive political issue in the Philippines, where fuel costs directly impact transportation, food prices, and the overall cost of living for citizens.

This latest fabrication appears to be part of a concerning pattern of disinformation targeting the congressman. On March 10, Suan himself warned the public about the “Birada Kagay-an” page, noting it was publishing baseless content specifically designed to spread online disinformation. He urged constituents to verify information, report deceptive pages, and rely on official government sources and verified news organizations for accurate updates.

The Facebook page behind the false claim has been previously flagged by multiple fact-checking organizations, including Rappler and Vera Files, for spreading misinformation about the congressman. According to Suan’s office, these repeated actions “strongly suggest a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, damage the reputation of Cong. Suan, and misuse his name for misinformation purposes.”

This incident is not isolated. Earlier this month, the same Facebook page falsely claimed that Suan had called overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) “fake heroes” for participating in a “zero remittance week.” This followed another fabricated statement on March 10 that falsely depicted the congressman attacking OFWs for allegedly lacking “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to President Marcos.

Political analysts note that the intensification of these disinformation campaigns appears to have accelerated following Suan’s vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte in February 2025, suggesting possible political motivations behind the false narratives.

Digital rights advocates have expressed growing concern about the proliferation of fabricated quote cards on social media, particularly as the Philippines continues to grapple with what media watchdogs describe as an “epidemic of disinformation” that peaks during politically sensitive periods.

The congressman has encouraged constituents to practice digital literacy by verifying information before sharing and reporting pages that consistently spread false information. Social media platforms have faced increasing pressure to address political misinformation in the Philippines, where Facebook remains the dominant platform for news consumption and political discourse.

Media literacy experts recommend that users verify quotes from public officials by checking official social media accounts, government websites, or reputable news organizations before sharing potentially inflammatory or divisive content online.