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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Claim: Reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid was disqualified from running in the 2025 midterm elections by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The video posted on October 3 has accumulated 183,047 views, 3,200 likes, and 1,907 comments as of writing. The YouTube channel that posted the video currently has 189,000 subscribers.
The video’s reads: “Hala! Lapid disqualified ang kandidatora pagka senador? Comelec nagsalita na?” (Lapid’s senatorial candidacy disqualified? Comelec has spoken up?)
Text on the thumbnail also bears the claim: “Lapid disqualified? Sen. Lapid kinancel ang candidacy ng Comelec? (Sen. Lapid’s candidacy canceled by Comelec?)”
The facts: Lapid has not been disqualified from running for a fourth Senate term in the 2025 midterm elections. The actor-politician, who is running under the Marcos administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October 2.
The video makes no mention of Lapid’s supposed disqualification, nor does it present proof to support its claim. There is also no announcement from Comelec about the supposed cancellation of Lapid’s COC.
The video’s content merely poses the question of whether the reelectionist senator is qualified to run for another Senate term, presenting comments from social media users disapproving of his reelection bid.
The video also mentions Lapid’s supposed involvement in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities in his hometown of Porac, Pampanga. This allegation came from an unnamed vlogger claiming that the 10-hectare land where the POGO hub Lucky South 99 was situated belonged to Lapid. The senator denied this allegation, vowing to resign his Senate seat if proven otherwise.
Fourth bid: For his fourth Senate bid, Lapid said he would expand the Free Legal Assistance Act he authored, which offers tax credits to lawyers and law firms to incentivize them to provide low-income clients with free legal services.
In a statement before the media last October 2, Lapid said, “Siguro sa experience ko ay puwede na akong manungkulan ulit. At ulit, sana bigyan ako ng pagkakataon.” (Maybe with my experience, I am qualified to serve again. Once again, I hope the people will give me the opportunity.)
In the latest Social Weather Stations survey for the 2025 midterm elections, Lapid ranks among the top 12 spots in the Senate race. Nine other administration-backed candidates are in the winning circle.
Experience: Lapid served his first six-year Senate term from 2004 to 2010 and was reelected to the upper chamber in 2010 and 2019. He has also served as vice governor (1992-1995) and governor (1995 to 2004) of Pampanga. Lapid previously made an unsuccessful bid for mayor of Angeles City, Pampanga in the 2016 elections after saying in 2015 that he felt he did not belong in the Senate.
Lapid faced a plunder case in 2009, alongside his son Mark, for allegedly failing to remit P500 million worth of quarrying fees during their terms as governors. He was also linked to the fertilizer fund scam during the Arroyo administration. – Ramon Franco Verano/Rappler.com
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
Ramon Franco Verano is a Rappler volunteer. He is a fourth year History student at the University of Santo Tomas.
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