FACT CHECK | Claim that photos prove Cory played mahjong with nuns is false

August 4, 2022 , 03:33 PM

(August 4, 2022) – Some netizens who support the family of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. are sharing old photos to justify the claim that the late former President Corazon Aquino played mahjong with nuns.

This claim is false.

CLAIM:

Social media users are posting in comments sections two photos to back the scene in the movie “Maid in Malacañang” that showed Aquino playing mahjong with nuns during the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from Malacañang.

In one photo, Aquino was seen at a table with her colleagues while three nuns were standing in the background. The other picture showed her husband, the late former senator Ninoy Aquino Jr. playing mahjong with three people.

Some netizens merged the two photos into a collage, adding a biblical passage that reads: “Huwag kang magsisinungaling kailanman, sapagkat walang kabutihan maidudulot ang ugaling iyan.” There’s also a line that states: “Minus points sa langit mga sisters.”

RATING: False

FACTS:

In a reverse image search, the photo showing the late former president can be traced to her meeting with her political allies in the Carmelite Monastery in Cebu. It was attributed to the archives of CDN Digital.

Another identifiable figure in the photo was the late former House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr.

But contrary to claims by some netizens, the photo did not show Aquino playing mahjong with the nuns. In fact, it could be seen that she was just discussing with her companions.

Her husband’s photo with his colleagues, meanwhile, was seen in an article published by GMA Pinoy TV in March 2014. It was from the documentary “1983” which narrated the personal life of the late democracy icon while he was in Boston, based on the caption. He was in exile in the United States before his assassination.

While it’s true that he was playing, this was not at all connected to the allegation being hurled against his wife and the nuns that took her in during a tumultuous period in the country’s political history.

“Maid in Malacañang” has been blasted by critics and artists alike for attempting to distort history in the guise of “creative freedom.”

WHY THIS MATTERS:

This is not the only false claim that emerged regarding the scene of Aquino and the nuns. On Wednesday, News5 fact-checked a claim made by “VinCentiments,” the Facebook page managed by the film’s director, Darryl Yap, which cited an article as an alleged basis for the scene. Yap and his team clearly misunderstood the article, which they boasted as part of their research for the movie.

Even the author of the article herself, Anne Nelson, already debunked the claim of Yap and his team.

“In my 1989 article on Cory Aquino (see attached) I wrote 1) she visited the Pink Sisters to pray; 2) she was a friend of Sister Christine (Tan); 3) Christine (Tan) gave talks to affluent women who sometimes played mah-jjong. No mention of Aquino or (Tan) playing mah-jjong,” said Nelson in a tweet on Thursday.

News5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies. For those interested to join the initiative, e-mail info@factsfirst.ph. Message News 5’s Facebook page if you want to have any claims fact-checked. Read our fact-checking policy here.

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