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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Claim: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, formerly known as the Mormon Church, released a statement saying they “stand and protect” Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The X (formerly Twitter) post bearing the false claim has garnered 510,000 views, 1,100 likes, and 200 reposts. The video included in the post uses the logo and name of the Latter-Day Saints.
“The Church of Mormons members, we stand and protect our beloved VP Sara Duterte,” the post’s video reads, while the caption adds that the religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Cebuano Catholics, and other churches also support Duterte.
While the video appears to be saved from TikTok, it can no longer be found on the said platform. The account that posted it can no longer be found either.
The facts: The official social media accounts of the Church of Jesus Christ have not posted any statement of support for the Vice President, whether in the Philippines or internationally.
In fact, on the same day that the false claim was posted, the Philippine Church posted a reminder about its guidelines on political neutrality and participation.
Specifically, the guidelines state that the Church does not “endorse, promote or oppose political parties and their platforms or candidates for political office” or “typically issue statements regarding disputes in or between nations, lands or peoples.”
The misleading post also refers to the church as the Church of Mormons, which has been discouraged by church leadership since it is not an authorized title.
Other church groups: The INC expressed their support for Duterte by holding a nationwide rally earlier in January opposing the Vice President’s impeachment. The INC had endorsed both Duterte and then-ally President Bongbong Marcos during the 2016 and 2022 national elections.
However, no statements about Duterte were published by the official social media accounts of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu.
Sara’s impeachment: The false claim circulated after the House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5 on the grounds of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
A total of 240 lawmakers or more than two-thirds of the House’s 306 members signed the resolution to forward the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which will be tasked to try the Vice President. A two-thirds vote from the Senate will be needed to convict Duterte and remove her from office.
Previous fact-checks: Rappler has debunked other false claims about statements or gestures of support for Duterte:
FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte!’ chants fabricated in video of Marcos at Palarong Pambansa 2024
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FACT CHECK: Video shows 2015 INC protest, not pro-Duterte rally
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FACT CHECK: Video shows 2016 protest in South Korea, not pro-Duterte INC rally
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FACT CHECK: Videos show 2023 jeepney phaseout protests, not pro-Duterte rally
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FACT CHECK: ‘Duterte!’ chants fabricated in video of fitness event in Dubai
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– Shay Du/Rappler.com
Shay Du is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. You may also report dubious claims to the #FactsFirstPH tipline by messaging Rappler on Facebook or Newsbreak via Twitter direct message. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
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