NBI asked to trace source of fake Marcoleta withdrawal video

Sagip party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta shows his Certificate of Candidacy for senator in this file photo taken in October 2024. (INQUIRER.net / JOHN ERIC MENDOZA)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has already asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to determine the source of fake news on the withdrawal of Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta from the senatorial race.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia made this move as manipulated videos circulated on social media claiming that Marcoleta withdrew his candidacy again.

“Ni-report na po natin yan sa National Bureau of Investigation para malaman kung paano at sino ang nagpasimula nito,” Garcia said over radio dwPM.

(We reported that to the National Bureau of Investigation to determine how it spread and who first made this.)

On Tuesday, Garcia already branded such claims as “wrong, false, misinformation, and fake news.”

The doctored video used footage back in 2022 when Garcia announced Marcoleta’s withdrawal.

Garcia was then serving as one of the six Comelec commissioners.

Marcoleta ran for senator in 2022 but withdrew his Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

He returned to the House of Representatives as a substitute nominee for Sagip party-list.

Marcoleta said he was now “fully ready” for the Senate since he filed his COC on Oct. 8 last year.