a. POLITICS 1. FAKE NEWS: SC allows damage suit against Trillanes in September 2020 Claim: The Supreme Court (SC) favored a Quezon City (QC) court that allowed a damage suit against former senator Antonio Trillanes IV in September 2020, as reported in a "breaking" news article. The facts: This is not "breaking news" or a recent development. The SC decision was handed down in 2018. 2. FAKE NEWS: Media did not report on malversation raps vs Aquino Claim: The mainstream media did not report on the 274 malversation cases filed against former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and Senator Franklin Drilon. The facts: At least 3 mainstream media outlets reported on the 274 counts of malversation filed against Aquino, Trillanes, and Drilon in October 2018. 3. FAKE NEWS: Bong Revilla dies of COVID-19 Claim: Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr died due to COVID-19. The facts: Revilla is still alive and in a better condition as of August 27. The videos used to perpetuate this claim were reports about his father – former senator Ramon Revilla Sr's death. b. ENTERTAINMENT/SHOWBIZ 1. FAKE NEWS: Oyo Sotto quote against Duterte critics Claim: Actor Oyo Sotto attacked critics of President Rodrigo Duterte and called them hypocrites.A graphic containing this claim circulated on Facebook in September 2020. The facts: Sotto already denied the claim in November 2019. In a post on his official Instagram account, the actor clarified that he did not say the words attributed to him and warned against “fake news.” 2. FAKE NEWS: John Regala dies in August 2020 Fact Check Claim: Actor John Regala, whose real name is John Paul Guido Boucher Scherrer, died in August 2020 at the age of 55. The facts: Regala is still alive. The video of the newscast embedded in the websites was also edited. On Tuesday, August 25, Regala went on a radio interview with Radyo Singko 92.5 News FM’s Wanted Sa Radyo to say that he did not receive donations raised for him by his fellow celebrities, Chuckie Dreyfus and Nadia Montenegro, following his hospitalization in early August. Regala suffered from severe gout and cirrhosis. He was discharged after 8 days on August 12 and was said to be on his way to recovery. 3. FAKE NEWS: Ogie Alcasid found dead in his car Claim: Singer Ogie Alcasid was found dead in his car. The facts: Alcasid is alive. The video report used to make the claim is about another death. c. SPORTS 1. FAKE NEWS: Alaska disbandment fake news, says team Claim: The Alaska franchise is leaving the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) soon. The facts: The Uytengsu-owned ball club on Tuesday assured that it remains very much a part of the PBA family as rumors once again swirled on its disbandment in the past few days. 2. FAKE NEWS: Phisgoc hits back at SEA Games ‘fake news’ Claim: The under-fire organising committee of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games has experienced a lot of logistical problems and poor preparations for the event. The facts: Channel News Asia reports that Alan Peter Cayetano, the chairman of Phisgoc, the organising committee, told journalists that “95 per cent” of the stories were fake. 3. FAKE NEWS: Photo of Philippine flag used as tablecloth 'in SEA Games 2019' event Claim: A photo showing the Philippine flag being used as a tablecloth for catering services was supposedly taken during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019. The facts: The facts: The photos were not taken at any SEA Games events. These were originally captured in 2015 in an "undisclosed event". d. ACADEME 1. FAKE NEWS: DepEd online giveaway of free WiFi, gadgets Claim: The Department of Education (DepEd) is giving away free WiFi and gadgets for students without means to attend online classes. The facts: DepEd is not conducting any such activity. It warned the public not to fall for scams. 2. FAKE NEWS: COVID-19 advisory from Johns Hopkins University(medical and research facility) Claim: The Johns Hopkins University released an advisory about COVID-19. It had 17 bullet points of information about the virus that causes the disease and how to prevent it. The facts: The Johns Hopkins University did not release the list. Some details mentioned in the list are also inaccurate. 3. FAKE NEWS: UP, PUP require joining rallies for graduation Claim: Students from the University of the Philippines (UP) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) are required to attend rallies to graduate, according to self-professed ex-rebel Alvin Turero. The facts: No official document from the two universities confirms or corroborates Tureros' claim. The universities do not require students to participate in rallies or mobilizations for any cause, and university officials warn against this practice. e. MEDICAL FIELD 1. FALSE: Philippines was the only Asian country without SARS cases Claim: The Philippines was the only Asian country without Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases in 2003 because it implemented an early travel ban. The facts: According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Cumulative Number of Reported Probable Cases of SARS, the Philippines had 14 cases of SARS from November 1, 2002 to July 11, 2003. 2. FAKE NEWS: COVID-19 nasal swabs can damage the blood-brain barrier Claim: The COVID-19 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which uses nasopharyngeal swabs, can damage the blood–brain barrier. The facts: It is impossible to reach the blood-brain barrier through a nasal swab. 3. FAKE NEWS: Hospitals can claim up to P750,000 for COVID-19 treatment regardless of actual cost The facts: At least 3 mainstream media outlets reported on the 274 counts of malversation filed against Aquino, Trillanes, and Drilon in October 2018. The facts: Hospitals will only receive the cost declared in the COVID-19 in-patient’s itemized billing statement. The scope and limitations of PhilHealth's COVID-19 benefit packages are indicated in Circular No. 2020-0009. REFERENCE: https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/oyo-sotto-quote-duterte-critics https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-only-asian-country-without-sars-cases https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/john-regala-dies-august-2020 https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/trillanes-quote-facebook-haters https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/covid-19-nasal-swabs-damage-blood-brain-barrier https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/deped-online-giveaway-free-wifi-gadgets https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/media-did-not-report-malversation-raps-vs-aquino https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/hospitals-claim-covid-19-treatment-regardlessactual-cost https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/covid-19-advisory-johns-hopkins-university https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/covid-19-advisory-johns-hopkins-university https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/bong-revilla-dies-covid-19 https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/up-pup-require-joining-rallies-graduation https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/ogie-alcasid-found-dead-in-car https://sports.inquirer.net/396052/alaska-disbandment-fake-news-says-team https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippine-flag-use-tablecloth-sea-games-2019catering-services