FACT CHECK | Facebook graphic showing overseas exit polls favoring Marcos is fake

April 29, 2022 , 09:51 PM

(April 29, 2022) – A Facebook page shared a graphic showing former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. dominating what it claimed to be the results of “partial and unofficial exit polls” for the overseas absentee voting in 13 countries and foreign cities for the 2022 elections.

This graphic is fake.

CLAIM:

Last April 17, a Facebook page named “Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (Never Say Die)” posted a graphic with the title, “partial and unofficial exit poll results for presidential race abroad.”

Using a mix of frequency and percentage in the purported data, it showed Marcos leading in Canada, Hong Kong, Italy, Qatar, Riyadh, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Taiwan, Malta, Australia, Macau, and Kuwait.

Curiously, it considered Riyadh a separate country from Saudi Arabia.

It also showed Marcos’ votes were still higher than all of the other presidential candidates combined. Based on the presented figures, his share of votes ranges from 75.41% to 98.50%

On the bottom right corner, the graphic included “Courtesy By: Unofficial Exit Poll Result Abroad.”

The caption, meanwhile, said, “Actual OFW votes 2022.” It added that the late dictator’s son received almost 90% of overseas absentee votes based on the exit polls, although the graphic didn’t show the cumulative percentage of his supposed votes.

RATING: FAKE

FACTS:

No reputable firms have released results of exit polls from the overseas absentee voting since it started last April 10. This is because the Fair Elections Act requires the results of exit polls to be announced only after the actual election day in the Philippines closes, according to election lawyer Atty. Emil Marañon III.

Only the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can first announce the official results of the overseas absentee voting.

The graphic also does not have the proper data to confirm if the supposed cumulative share of Marcos’ votes reached “almost 90%” as some of the figures were only represented by percentages and not the total number of votes.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez has already stated that they will only start counting votes from abroad on May 9. He also warned against the proliferation of bogus results of exit polls.

Comelec commissioner George Garcia, who’s also an election lawyer, has advised against believing these so-called exit surveys due to questionable methodology and accuracy.

“Madami talaga na tao na kapag bumoboto, kapag tinanong mo na at nakalabas na ng presinto, maaaring ‘di naman magsabi nang totoo. Si X ang binoto nila (tapos) biglang si Y ang sinabi. So, how accurate is that?” said said on One News’ The Chiefs last April 13.

In addition, Riyadh is not a country but the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Also, the phrase “Courtesy By” is grammatically incorrect.

The layout of the graphic is also too amateurish to be considered a legitimate one.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

The post has garnered 1,400 reactions, 124 comments, and 330 shares as of writing and continues to get new engagements. The Facebook page has close to 253,000 followers. It is not a verified account of the actual Barangay Ginebra San Miguel basketball team.

Studies from fact-checking organizations Tsek.PH and Vera Files have found Marcos to be the biggest beneficiary of disinformation on social media. His staunch rival, Robredo, on the other hand, has been the biggest target.

Marcos has denied employing online trolls, but there have been reports of the influx of false information that specifically paints the brutal dictatorship of his late father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., in a positive light. The Marcoses have made similar claims, which have been frequently debunked by experts, historians, and fact-checkers.

News 5 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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