Distinguishing fact from fiction has become an increasing challenge for journalists following the months-long campaign trail. Yet, it is perhaps the readers, who sift through thousands of posts, photos, and TikTok videos every day, that face a more daunting task.
With voting day a little over a month away, The LaSallian engaged its “actual” audience—specifically, the kind and colorful people who grace the publication’s social media comments—and asked their opinions on fact-checking and the leading presidential candidates. Most of them, the publication learned, roared their support for a particular candidate who swindled their attention, stole their hearts with his “titanium” smile, and united them with his platforms.
What are your thoughts on student publications investigating and initiating their own independent research on fake news related to the 2022 National Elections?
Kelan kaya kau magbabalita lasalle ng totoong balita may nalalaman pa kaung fake alam na dilawan kau ng taumbayan wag niyo lokohin mga sarili ninyo sa mga balitang nilalabas ninyo na ksinungalingan. Kahit magsama sama pa kau mga university hindi mananalo yan wag kami lasalle alam namin kulay niyo bbm sara ang mananalo gising na taumbayan sa panlilinlang ng ina niyo sa bayan.
(When will you report real news, La Salle? We know that you are “dilawan”. Don’t fool yourselves with your fake news and lies. Even if universities like yours unite, your candidate will not win. Don’t try to fool us La Salle, we know which color you support. BBM-Sara will win. Wake up from the deception that you are telling the nation.)
Late last year, The LaSallian launched its own fact-checking initiative. Would you say it has been an effective tool in engaging with our audience?
Walang maniniwala sa fact check nyong yan..kasi halatang bias kayo lahat namang fact check nyo puro hindi naman totoo ang labo…ginagawa nyo probability…lahat haka haka..at pinapasinungalingan nyo in short paninira yang hinagawa nyo..kung totoo nga yang fact nyo show proof and we will agree on you..🤣🤣🤣
(No one is going to believe your fact-checks because it is obvious that you are biased. All of your fact checks are untrue, vague, based on probability, and lies. In short, you are only tearing down others. If your facts are true, show proof, and we will agree with you.)
As the 2022 National Elections draw closer, how important do you think fact-checking is today when social media sites promulgate disinformation about the presidential candidates?
Kahit ano i-fact check nyo, bbm sara pa din kami
(No matter what you fact-check, we’re always going to be BBM and Sara Duterte-Carpio supporters.)
A recent report from Tsek.ph—an independent fact-checking group—found that Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was the top beneficiary in election-related disinformation. What are your thoughts on that?
Kahit ano paninira bbm pa din kami 🤪🤩😍✌️
(No matter your attacks, we will still support BBM.)
Given your strong support for Marcos Jr., how do you feel—as a DLSU alumnus—about Lasallian student leaders openly taking an anti-Marcos stance?
As an alumni, disgusting. BBM was part of institution, graduate or not, he was part of our institution. Sayang ang turo pa naman sa atin is about brotherhood. Help each other as well others. As fellow La Sallian do we stooped this LOW. Sayang. Animo La Salle.
(The lessons that DLSU taught us about brotherhood have been wasted.)
DLSU, along with current and former University heads, has signed a statement of support for Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. Do you think educational institutions should be more vocal in backing political candidates?
A supposed to be non-partisan group promoting the return of drugs, communism, corruption and all that will fall down the government to its knees. sh@m$ on you all! Super FOUL na masyado nyo nang pinopromote si misis robredo. Nothing wrong with her but people around her are too hypocrites already, mga bastos at mapangtaas, then you catholic church dividing this nation by showing that you worship leni robredo too much????!!!! Foul na po kayo catholic church and hypocrite cathiolic schools!!!!!
(You are rude and boastful.)
The idea of solidarity among the presidential candidates has been a discussion since the start of the campaign season. What factors must the voters consider in looking at a “united opposition”?
Ang bansa walang asenso kon hangang ngaun sinisisi pa rin ang dating presedinte F.E. Marcos, compared as ginagawa ni Marcos noon at ang mga pumalit as kanya.mga today kalsada building na tumatanaw hangang ngaun at matibay pa.sa ngaun mga project nila marami pero magastos din kasi pag may project na kalsada or tulad, indi pa tapos pero sira na agad kaya navios pera ng bansa kasi palpak ang nagpagawa.si Marcos sinasabi ang ginagawa kon tapos na indi kagaya ngaun na drawing pa lang sinasabi na para may buget agad . so sino ang magnanakaw ng pera sa bansa.kayo na bahala.
(The country will never be better if you keep blaming former President F.E. Marcos. All of the roads and buildings built in his time are still standing strong to this day. Nowadays, there’s so many projects that cost so much money yet it’s not durable—putting the country’s money to waste. Marcos publicized his projects when they were done, while the government now demands for funding for still unfinished plans. So tell me, who’s really stealing the country’s money? It’s up to you.)
In the past few weeks, all of the presidential candidates, except Marcos Jr., have attended debates and interviews, allowing voters to scrutinize their platforms. Do you think it is disadvantageous not to face other contenders?
BBM has a comfortable 60% margin of support from the electorate and doesn’t need to go into a fishing expedition to still lure any of the supporters of Leni, Isko, Ping, and Pacquiao to his side. Let Leni, Isko, Ping, and Pacquiao outdo each other in trying to convince each other’s supporters to change camp. Let your enemies slaughter each other. That’s the best battle strategy. BBM won’t waste his time and effort in answering the same questions that have been mauling them for decades. As the acclaimed genius Albert Einstein said “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result.“
Though we know little about his platforms, we do know that, unlike his competitors, he was inspired to pursue his presidential campaign after watching Ant-Man. What are your thoughts on that?
There are 2 sides of that story from BBM’s wife:
Typical/Hater brain: Ant-Man was a thief. So na insipire pala siya ni Scott Lang
High-IQ brain: BBM loves Marvel movies. He is watching his fave genre of movies and then suddenly decided to run for Presidency.
Explanation: being into something that makes you comfortable, provides you peace and clear mind, results into deeper thinking. Perhaps, BBM was too preoccupied prior to that kaya nanood nalang siya ng movie to clear his mind and to think properly.
So its either you have a typical/hater mind or have a high-IQ mind. Peace✌🏻😁😂
Do you have any final thoughts about your candidate?
Kakampinks: Why BBM?
Me na solid BBM✌️💚❤️:
Philippines is my nation
BBM is my destination
To help BBM pay the 203 Billion is one of my ambition
BBM with a record “greatest robbery ” is my inspiration
Being an apologist is one of my passion
Protecting BBM is my mission
To love and stan them is one of my best decision
But marrying sandro the tombits is just my imagination💔🥺
*This interview was not edited for length or clarity.