Facebook user Balat Sibuyas (onion-skinned) posted that former Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Luzviminda Ilagan reportedly praised Paolo Duterte’s “treatment of women.” In the post, a photo of Ilagan — a former teacher, three-term Gabriela party-list Representative, and incumbent President of the Davao Historical Society — is paired with the quote: “I saw him grow up, I nurtured him, and I’m really proud of the way he turned out.” The post, titled “Davao’s #1 Feminist Praises Paolo Duterte for Treating Women with Respect,” is satire, as with the rest of the posts by the Facebook user. We are fact-checking this post as some social media users seem to believe the quote is real. Ilagan herself has denied the statement, telling MindaNews, “I NEVER said those things.” It appears the post was designed to exaggerate and incite discussion during election time. Facebook and its parent company allow satire as protected speech but require users to indicate parody or satire in their profiles. According to Meta’s policies, users must make it clear they do not represent or are not authorized to speak on behalf of the person or business they parody. Based on a check on Balat Sibuyas’s transparency tab, the account was created on June 21, 2009, remains anonymous, and no one has claimed ownership. The post does not mention the complaint filed against Paolo Duterte on May 2 for alleged physical injuries and grave threats at a Davao City bar on February 23. A video of Paolo Duterte, Representative of the 1st District and eldest son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, went viral on May 2, showing him apparently assaulting and threatening a man in a bar. In a message to media, Ilagan criticized the post, stating: “To Balat Sibuyas: Are you so desperate for a following that you resort to inventing statements NEVER made by the person concerned? This is as fake as the fake persona you have created for yourself. Do not drag into the quagmire of your underhanded posts people who are not into your dirty business.” MindaNews reached out to Balat Sibuyas, and the anonymous page admin responded: “It’s satire. As Michael Moore says, either you get it or you don’t. The ‘negative’ feedback can mean one thing: it works as intended.” The post has been shared 27 times, with 23 comments and 145 reactions as of May 8 at 10:53 p.m. Mindanao Times, a Davao City-based community newspaper, shared a screenshot of the post alongside Ilagan’s statement, which received 69 shares, 75 comments, and 701 reactions by May 8 at 10:04 p.m. Pro-Duterte accounts were among those who shared the Mindanao Times post, though it is unclear whether they supported the fictional statement or Ilagan’s response. “Balat-sibuyas” (literally onion-skinned) in Filipino means ‘quick to react or get hurt.’ MindaNews, a verified signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles, welcomes fact-check leads or suggestions from the public.
