Claim: In a Facebook post, former Senate president Franklin Drilon criticized the proliferation of media personalities running for public office.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the post has garnered 8,000 reactions, 1,618 comments, and 32,000 shares.
The post author claims that the commentary on the state of Philippine politics was supposedly forwarded by Drilon. The post also includes a picture of the former senator, leading several social media users to believe that Drilon wrote the commentary, as seen in some of the comments under the post. One user wrote: “All what the former Senate President Drilon has said are true.” Another wrote: “Thank you for helping us open our eyes and mind and realizing the reality of [Philippine]politics…kudos Sen Drilon.”
The facts: The post is falsely attributed to Drilon. The text featured in the misleading post originated from an opinion piece by lawyer Josephus Jimenez published in The Freeman on October 22, 2024.
Rappler has reached out to Drilon’s team for comment but has yet to receive a reply as of writing. The Facebook post’s author provides no evidence that Drilon made such comments about the candidates in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Weakness in political party system: While the circulating Facebook message did not come from Drilon, the former senator has made comments regarding the senatorial candidates for the 2025 elections. He described the Marcos administration’s Senate slate as a “hodgepodge” of candidates and proof of the weaknesses of the political party system in the country.
He added, “It’s not based on political parties, but on individual choices. That is sad about our current political landscape.” Drilon also pointed to popularity and name recognition as the main drivers of election victories, as opposed to party ideologies.
2025 elections: In the latest January 2025 survey by Pulse Asia, the 14 Senate candidates with a statistical chance of winning include ACT-CIS Representative Erwin Tulfo, broadcaster Ben Tulfo, TV host Willie Revillame, host and Senate comeback aspirant Tito Sotto, and reelectionist senators Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid.
Media personalities currently serving a term in the Senate include actors Robin Padilla and Jinggoy Estrada, and news broadcasters Loren Legarda and Raffy Tulfo, brother of Erwin and Ben Tulfo. If the pre-election surveys hold up to election day in May 2025, 11 out of the 24-member Senate would be media celebrities. (READ: 11 of 24 Senate seats could go to media celebrities after May 2025)
Other celebrities are also seeking government positions in the local elections. Over 18,000 elective posts are up for grabs in the 2025 national and local polls. (LIST: Celebrities, online personalities running for gov’t positions in the 2025 elections)
Relatives of media celebrities are also running in the May elections. Revilla’s wife, Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani-Mercado Revilla and son, Cavite 1st District Representative Jolo Revilla, are both making reelection bids.
Several members of the popular Tulfo clan are also gunning for government posts. They currently face a petition for disqualification filed before the Commission on Elections on February 17. According to the petitioner, lawyer Virgilio R. Garcia, the Tulfos must be barred from running for office under the constitutional prohibition on political dynasties. (READ: What you should know about the disqualification case against the Tulfo)
Debunked: Rappler has debunked similar false claims related to the former senator:
- FACT CHECK: Drilon wasn’t asleep in 2020 CNN Philippines interview
- FALSE: Drilon laughs at Pangilinan’s 2022 LP plans
- HOAX: Franklin Drilon death hoax
– Ramon Franco Verano/Rappler.com
Ramon Franco Verano is a graduate of Rappler’s volunteer program. He is a fourth year History student at the University of Santo Tomas. 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.
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