DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 27 July) – A viral video of Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte appearing unusually macho while dancing to the TikTok remix of Barbielat has been circulating on Facebook, with many netizens mocking or sensationalizing the clip. The clip shows Duterte appearing to “throw it back” with exaggerated choreography, prompting online users to question his masculinity in light of his public back-and-forth with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Nicolas Deloso Torre III. However, this video is fake and an example of face-swapped content using AI technology. The individual in the original video is not Baste Duterte but Zandrix “Okimaz” Rebolos, a well-known bodybuilder, fitness coach, and social media influencer. The authentic version of the video was first posted on TikTok under Rebolos’ account @coach_kembot06, amassing 47.3k reactions, 918 comments, and 1.8k shares. The edited version circulating on Facebook used AI-generated face-swapping techniques to replace Rebolos’ face with that of Baste Duterte. MindaNews verified that the video was manipulated through digital forensic checks, identifying visual inconsistencies such as unnatural blending around the jawline and mismatched lighting. The viral clip exemplifies the growing trend of AI-driven disinformation on social media, undermining responsible discourse and contributing to misinformation. MindaNews welcomes fact-check leads or suggestions from the public and is a verified signatory to the Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network.
