FACT CHECK | Claim that rapper Apl.de.Ap supports Marcos in 2022 elections is false

April 29, 2022 , 03:35 PM

(April 29, 2022) – Some social media users are posting videos to back the claim that Filipino-American artist Apl.de.Ap supports the presidential candidacy of former senator Bongbong Marcos Jr. in the 2022 elections.

These posts are false.

CLAIM:

Several pages that openly support Marcos shared the same video taken from TikTok. On the video itself, the text reads: “Sa MGA Hindi naniniwalang supporter ni BBM si Apl de Ap eto oh Closer look.” BBM refers to the initials of Marcos.

Some of the pages also wrote in the caption that the performer on the video was Apl.de.Ap.

Another video where a performer was seen singing the hit song “Bebot” and “Where is the Love” also circulated online, claiming that Apl.de.Ap was the one on stage. It was also uploaded on YouTube.

Apl.de.Ap was also included in the set of artists allegedly backing Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. It was reshared by the page called “Walang Tulugan Para Kay BBM” which attributed the materials to “Uniteam Bataan.”

RATING: False

FACTS:

Apl.de.Ap was not the one singing in the video but an impersonator. In a separate post that said the performer was only an imitator, Apl.de.Ap’s verified page commented three palm-faced emojis. His comment has gained 14,000 reactions as of writing.

On Thursday, the acclaimed rapper and member of the award-winning group Black Eyed Peas, also disputed claims that he is endorsing any candidate. He replied this to a thread on Twitter that sought to confirm if he indeed supports Marcos.

“Country over party. Not endorsing any candidate,” wrote Apl.de.Ap.

Country over party. Not endorsing any candidate

— apl.de.ap (@apldeap) April 28, 2022

He also denied he was the one performing on the videos.

Not me

— apl.de.ap (@apldeap) April 28, 2022

Apl.de.Ap, whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo, was born in Angeles, Pampanga in 1974. Despite making it big in the United States, he has always been proud of his Filipino roots. Aside from his music career, he also carried an advocacy campaign that aims to support children’s education in the Philippines.

It appears that the videos, which were taken during a gathering of Marcos supporters, first circulated last November. Some photos of the event were also shared by loyalists of the late dictator’s son on Twitter.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Since last year, many supporters of Marcos have been falsely claiming that Apl.de.Ap backs the former senator because of his impersonator’s performance. Despite Apl.de.Ap’s denial, others have continued to believe the false information claiming that he is supporting Marcos.

Marcos, the standard-bearer of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, benefited the most from fake news on social media, according to independent fact-checking network Tsek.PH. Hundreds of Twitter accounts supporting him have been taken down in January for violating the platform’s rules on manipulation and spam.

Marcos has repeatedly denied that he personally hired trolls for his campaign, daring his critics to “find (him) one.”

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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