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Filipino authorities have debunked viral social media videos claiming to show massive crowds at an October 12 anti-Marcos administration rally, revealing the footage actually depicts a separate protest held weeks earlier.
Multiple videos that purportedly show large crowds gathering for an October 12 protest against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Forbes Park Village in Makati City have been widely shared across social media platforms. One such video garnered over 3.5 million views, 67,000 reactions, and 11,000 shares, with text overlay stating: “The people are starting to gather for the rally today, October 12, 2025.”
Fact-checkers have confirmed these videos are misrepresented. A reverse image search revealed the footage originated from TikTok posts dated September 22, connected to an earlier protest known as the “Trillion Peso March.” This separate demonstration, held on September 21, drew thousands of Filipinos protesting alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
The investigation also identified footage of a broadcast journalist supposedly covering the October 12 event as actually being GMA News reporter Luisito Antonio Santos’ coverage of the September 21 protest. Geographic inconsistencies further exposed the deception, as the viral videos showed prominent streets and locations from the Trillion Peso March rather than Forbes Park in Makati City, where the October 12 rally actually took place.
The October 12 demonstration was considerably smaller than the viral videos suggested. Organized by Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga, the event attracted approximately 300 participants despite the presence of more than 600 police officers deployed to maintain order. The six-hour protest concluded with a prayer vigil attended by Barzaga himself.
Barzaga had called for the “anti-corruption” rally to demand President Marcos Jr.’s resignation. On social media, the lawmaker urged protesters to “enter the homes” of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, accusing the administration of mishandling billions in flood control project funds and shielding Romualdez, the President’s cousin, from allegations linking him to the scandal.
The relatively modest turnout for the October 12 event stands in stark contrast to the massive Trillion Peso March held three weeks earlier. That September 21 demonstration saw thousands of citizens flooding streets across multiple Philippine cities to protest alleged corruption and irregularities in government flood control initiatives.
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in the Philippines surrounding corruption allegations and the Marcos administration’s handling of infrastructure projects. It also underscores the challenge of misinformation in the digital age, where footage from one event can be easily repurposed and presented as evidence of another, potentially misleading the public about the scale and significance of political demonstrations.
Filipino authorities continue to encourage citizens to report suspicious social media content, emphasizing the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, particularly regarding politically sensitive events that can influence public perception and discourse.
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10 Comments
The distinction between the ‘Trillion Peso March’ and the alleged October 12 protest is an important one. Mixing up the details could lead to the spread of misinformation. Kudos to the fact-checkers for setting the record straight.
I’m curious to learn more about the allegations of corruption related to the ‘Trillion Peso March.’ These types of issues deserve close scrutiny, as public trust in government institutions is paramount. Fact-checking helps ensure the public has the full picture.
This is an interesting fact-check. It’s important to verify the accuracy of viral social media content, especially when it comes to politically-charged issues. I’m glad the authorities were able to clarify the origin of these protest videos.
I’m curious to learn more about the ‘Trillion Peso March’ protest and the allegations of corruption in government flood control projects. These types of citizen-led demonstrations can shine a light on important issues, even if the details get muddled online.
The distinction between the two protests is an important one. While both events may have been significant, mixing up the details can undermine the credibility of the coverage and the issues being raised. Fact-checking is key in these situations.
It’s reassuring to see the authorities taking the time to investigate and clarify the details around these viral protest videos. Maintaining the integrity of information, especially on politically-charged topics, is crucial for a well-informed citizenry.
This highlights the need for caution when consuming and sharing content on social media. Even well-intentioned posts can inadvertently contribute to the spread of misinformation if the facts are not properly verified. Kudos to the fact-checkers for their diligence.
While social media has democratized information sharing, it has also made it easier for misinformation to spread. This fact-check highlights the need for responsible content curation and verification, even for seemingly innocuous online posts. Kudos to the fact-checkers.
Viral social media content can be a double-edged sword – it can raise awareness, but it can also spread misinformation if not properly verified. This fact-check is a good example of the importance of diligent reporting and fact-checking, even for seemingly straightforward events.
It’s good that the authorities were able to identify the true source of these viral videos. In the age of social media, fact-checking is more crucial than ever to ensure the public has accurate information about events and protests.