FACT CHECK | Thumbnail of alleged report linking Vico Sotto to Pepsi Paloma case is fake

February 24, 2022 , 03:24 PM

(February 24, 2022) – A thumbnail of a report implying Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto had a hand in the alleged rape case of an actress about four decades ago made rounds on social media, using the logo of ABS-CBN News to make it appear that it came from the network.

This is fake.

CLAIM:

The fabricated thumbnail featured the photo of Sotto with a text that says, “Kasalanan ng ama ay kasalanan din ng anak.” The purported title was: “Vico Sotto, kasabwat sa Pepsi Paloma case?”

The logo and the name of ABS-CBN News were placed near the title to falsely imply that the material was authentic. It also used the ticker of the network’s flagship news program, TV Patrol.

RATING: FAKE

FACTS:

Nowhere in any social media account of ABS-CBN News was the purported material posted. ABS-CBN News Digital has already refuted the fake thumbnail as well.

Sotto, a first-term mayor, was not yet born when the issue about the rape case of Filipino-American Delia Smith, more popularly known by her stage name Pepsi Paloma, erupted in the early 1980s. Sotto was born in 1989.

His father Vic Sotto, a television personality, was one of the individuals accused of rape but the case did not push through. Aside from him, his fellow celebrities Joey De Leon and the late Riche D’Horsie were also reportedly involved. Paloma was later found dead by authorities in 1985.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

The 32-year-old Sotto is vying for a second term as mayor of Pasig in the 2022 elections. Last year, he was recognized as a global anti-corruption champion by the State Department of the United States for his transparency initiatives.

Sotto has repeatedly said he does not want to be involved in national politics yet since he wants to focus on fixing Pasig. He is up against incumbent Vice Mayor Iyo Caruncho-Bernardo, who hails from a local political clan.

Curiously, the statement featured in the fake thumbnail is the same argument frequently used against Bongbong Marcos Jr. Some of his loyalists left their comments on the fabricated post to discredit the allegations against the late dictator’s son.

Political observers insist that Marcos should be held accountable for the crimes of his father since he benefited from them. Even Atty. Ruben Carranza, a former commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, said Marcos cannot evade responsibility since he “holds the key” to his family’s ill-gotten wealth.

Vera Files, a non-profit media organization, already fact-checked the fake material but it’s still being shared on Facebook.

As of writing, the post on the group called “Pinoy Krazy Thumbnails III” has garnered more than 75,000 reactions since it was posted on February 19. It also got 536 comments before the comments section was turned off. It has been shared 38,000 times.

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 the Facebook page of News 5 if you want to have any claims fact-checked.

Read our fact-checking policy here.

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