Fake Screenshots Target ABS-CBN News, Claims About Marcos Health Debunked

False information continues to spread online, and this time, even a major news outlet got caught in the middle of it.

Recent posts circulating on social media tried to make it appear that ABS-CBN News used old photos and passed them off as new while reporting on the health of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.. The claim quickly gained attention, but a closer look shows that the screenshots being shared were altered.

One example involved a supposed post featuring the President with Archbishop Charles John Brown. The viral claim suggested the image came from a past event and was edited to look recent. However, the actual report from ABS-CBN was a video showing Marcos speaking in his office, not the photo being circulated.

That same photo being used in the fake screenshot actually came from a separate event, the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Holy See. The celebration took place in April 2026, not in early 2025 as claimed in the misleading posts. The presence of key officials, including newly appointed Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro, also contradicts the timeline being pushed online.

Another misleading post showed a different image of Marcos alongside Mexican businessman Victor González Herrera, claiming it was taken in 2024. In reality, the report was published in April 2026, and the screenshot itself used an incorrect logo, which is another sign it had been tampered with.

Even journalists from ABS-CBN pushed back against the claims. Jervis Manahan, who covered one of the events, publicly denied the accusations and clarified what was actually reported.

This is not the first time fake content has used recognizable media brands to gain credibility. Altered screenshots and misleading captions are becoming more common, especially when tied to high-profile topics like the President’s health.

Interestingly, one of the names that surfaced in the spread of these claims is Edwin Jamora (aka Reyna Elena), known as one of the early Filipino bloggers. He also founded Barrio Siete, a collective blog that ran from 2009 to 2012 and aimed to present stories in a more relatable, everyday language. It is a reminder that even familiar names from the blogging space can end up being linked to questionable information online.

For context, Barrio Siete once described itself as a space for real, grounded voices, telling stories using language people actually use in daily life. It focused on shared experiences and struggles, something many readers connected with during its run.

As misinformation continues to evolve, it becomes more important to double check posts before sharing them. Screenshots can be edited, dates can be changed, and logos can be copied. A quick verification can go a long way in stopping false narratives from spreading further.

(via ABS-CBN News)

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Disclaimer: Jepoy, one of the co-founders of GameOPS, was also a contributor to Barrio Siete back in the day. Pinoy ShowBuzz and the rest of the Pinoy Blogarista Network were acquired by GameOPS in 2025 and are now part of The GameOPS Network. The author, the original founder of Pinoy ShowBuzz and the Pinoy Blogarista Network, is currently a member of the new Pinoy ShowBuzz team.