Listen to the article
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto has categorically denied claims that he proposed a 50% tax on content creators, as a manipulated video circulating on social media falsely suggests.
The doctored video, which has gained significant traction online with over 4,200 views, 40 reactions, and 75 shares, purportedly shows Sotto saying: “All content creators, big or small, should be taxed at 50%. It’s so easy to make money on social media these days, just one upload and you can earn thousands.”
Analysis conducted using the AI video detection tool Deepware flagged the clip as “suspicious” with a 78% probability of manipulation and an 81% probability of being a deepfake. The fabricated content appears to have been created by altering footage from a legitimate Senate press briefing that Sotto conducted on October 10.
In the original video, available on Sotto’s verified Facebook page, the Senate President was actually discussing Senate leadership stability amid alleged efforts to unseat him and addressing Senator Panfilo Lacson’s recent resignation as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee.
Sotto took to social media on October 9 to explicitly refute these false claims, stating in Filipino: “Don’t believe this information. Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III has not made any statement about this.”
The following day, he issued a more comprehensive statement addressing the broader pattern of misinformation targeting him: “For the information of my colleagues, numerous and coordinated circulation of fake news have been circulating regarding new tax measures allegedly proposed by me. In my 24 years in the Senate, I HAVE NEVER PROPOSED FOR ANY TAX MEASURES. In fact, I have consistently voted against it.”
This incident highlights the growing concern over deepfakes and manipulated media in the Philippine political landscape. Content creators represent a significant and growing sector of the digital economy in the Philippines, with many young entrepreneurs building businesses and livelihoods through social media platforms. Any suggestion of a substantial tax increase targeting this group would naturally generate considerable controversy.
The spread of such misinformation comes at a time when digital literacy and fact-checking have become increasingly important skills for the general public. Social media platforms continue to struggle with effectively moderating manipulated content, particularly sophisticated deepfakes that can appear convincing to casual viewers.
Experts warn that as AI technology becomes more accessible, detecting manipulated media will become increasingly challenging. This incident serves as a reminder for audiences to verify information from official sources and to approach viral content with healthy skepticism, especially when it involves controversial policy proposals from public officials.
Rappler’s fact-checking team has identified at least five Facebook posts containing the same false claim, suggesting a coordinated attempt to spread this misinformation.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
10 Comments
This seems like a clear case of misinformation through video manipulation. Glad the Senate President was able to clarify the real context. Curious to see if there are any real policy proposals around digital creator taxation.
Fabricated content like this deepfake video is a real problem. Appreciate the analysis using AI tools to detect the manipulation. Important for the public to be aware of such tactics and get accurate information from official sources.
This seems like a clear case of misinformation. Good that the Senate President was able to clarify the actual context and refute the false claims. Curious to learn more about the real policy discussions happening.
Taxes on content creators is a sensitive issue, so it’s good to see this claim swiftly debunked. Curious to learn more about the actual Senate discussion and whether there are any legitimate proposals around creator taxation.
Interesting to see the Senate discussion was actually about something quite different. Good that the President was able to swiftly refute the false claims. Curious to learn more about the actual topics being discussed.
Glad to see this claim being thoroughly debunked. Deepfake videos are a concerning trend, so it’s good to see the use of AI analysis to identify the manipulation. Important for the public to have accurate information.
This is an important fact check. It’s concerning to see doctored videos being used to spread misinformation, especially about potential policy changes that could impact digital creators. Glad the Senate President clarified the actual context.
Disappointing to see a fabricated video like this gaining traction online. Appreciate the detailed fact check and use of AI tools to detect the manipulation. Important for the public to be informed on these issues.
Interesting claim about a proposed 50% tax on content creators. Seems like a concerning policy if true, but good that it has been debunked as a manipulated video. I wonder what the actual Senate discussion was about.
Appreciate the detailed fact check on this issue. Video manipulation is a serious problem, so it’s good to see the use of AI tools to detect the deepfake. Important for the public to have accurate information from official sources.