Vice President Leni Robredo visited the families evacuated to Nangka Elementary School in Marikina City, as she continues to lead her office’s relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Ulysses. She was accompanied by Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo and other local officials. During the visit, the OVP brought assistance including hot meals, drinking water, mattresses, face masks, and diapers for babies and adults. (Photos by Charlie Villegas / OVP)
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday asked netizens to report a “fake news bearer,” who she said was “trolling” her daughters by using false information regarding her relief efforts.
“[Please] report this fake news bearer. He was trolling my daughters using false information,” Robredo said on her Facebook account.
The vice president said it was okay for the public to criticize her but warned against spreading false information.
“It is okay to criticize. But if you use false information, we will report you,” she said.
Her post was accompanied by a screenshot of a comment made by the netizen in question, who claimed that the Vice President visited San Mateo, Rizal and gave away “chicharon” (fried pork rinds) to residents.
“Namigay ng chicharon parang tangerds. Pulutan? [A]no yon magiinuman kame? Papansin nanay niyo oy! May hakot pang media kaloka!,” the netizen wrote.
But Robredo said that she and her team have yet to go to San Mateo and are planning to visit the area either on Sunday night or Monday.
“We never gave away chicharon. These are the things we give: hot meals, food packs, mattresses, blankets, slippers, hygiene kits, water,” Robredo added.
“The big bag of fish crackers, not chicharon, which I posted about yesterday, was given to us. We did not give it away. Instead, we shared it with our volunteer repackers,” she added.
The Vice President also addressed the netizen’s claim that she visited typhoon-hit affected areas with the media.
“We don’t go around with [the] media, unlike a few government officials. Our visits are always low key,” she added.