Fact Check: Election Claims
Verify the accuracy of claims made by senatorial candidates during debates, interviews, and campaign events. All fact checks are sourced from credible data and official records.
We regularly update this page with new fact checks as claims are made during the campaign period. Our goal is to provide voters with accurate information to make informed decisions.
"The government's drug war has resulted in only 6,000 deaths."
Claimed by: Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa | Source: GMA Senatorial Debate
Fact Check:
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has officially confirmed 6,252 deaths in anti-drug operations between July 2016 and December 2023. However, human rights organizations and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights estimate the total number of drug war-related killings, including those by vigilantes and unidentified assailants, to be between 27,000 and 30,000. The Philippine Commission on Human Rights reports that many killings outside official operations appear to be linked to the drug war but were not counted in official statistics.
Sources:
- •Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Official Report(February 2024)
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- •Commission on Human Rights Statement(January 2024)
"The Philippine economy grew by 8% in 2024, making it the fastest growing in Southeast Asia."
Claimed by: Imee Marcos | Source: CNN Philippines Town Hall
Fact Check:
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine economy grew by 5.6% in 2024, not 8%. While this is a strong growth rate, it was not the fastest in Southeast Asia. Vietnam reported 6.2% growth and Cambodia reported 6.0% growth in the same period, both higher than the Philippines. The 8% figure was a projection made in early 2024 that was not achieved.
Sources:
- •Philippine Statistics Authority Economic Growth Report(January 2025)
- •Asian Development Bank Southeast Asia Economic Outlook(December 2024)
- •World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update(October 2024)
"The Philippines allocates only 2% of its GDP to education, well below the UNESCO-recommended 6%."
Claimed by: France Castro | Source: Harapan sa Diliman: UP Senatorial Forum
Fact Check:
According to the Department of Budget and Management, the Philippines allocated approximately 3.5% of its GDP to education in the 2025 national budget, not 2% as claimed. While this is higher than stated in the claim, it is still significantly below the 6% benchmark recommended by UNESCO for developing countries. The Philippines has one of the lower education budget-to-GDP ratios in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam allocating 4.2%, Malaysia 4.5%, and Thailand 4.1%.
Sources:
- •Department of Budget and Management 2025 Budget(October 2024)
- •UNESCO Institute for Statistics(September 2024)
- •Department of Education Budget Briefer(November 2024)
"The 2016 Arbitral Ruling invalidated China's nine-dash line claim in the West Philippine Sea."
Claimed by: Ping Lacson | Source: CNN Philippines Town Hall
Fact Check:
The Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 ruling in the case brought by the Philippines against China did indeed declare that China's "nine-dash line" claim has no legal basis under international law. The tribunal ruled that China's claims to historic rights within the nine-dash line are incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and exceed what is permitted under UNCLOS. The ruling specifically stated that China's nine-dash line has "no legal basis" for maritime claims in the South China Sea.
Sources:
- •Permanent Court of Arbitration Award(July 12, 2016)
- •Department of Foreign Affairs Official Statement(July 12, 2021)
- •United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(December 10, 1982)
"Philippine elections have the highest voter turnout in Southeast Asia."
Claimed by: Bam Aquino | Source: Campaign Rally in Manila
Fact Check:
The Philippine 2022 presidential election had a voter turnout of 82.6%, which is indeed high by global standards. However, it is not the highest in Southeast Asia. Indonesia's 2024 presidential election had a turnout of 85.6%, and Singapore's 2020 parliamentary election had a turnout of 95.8% (though voting is compulsory in Singapore). The Philippines does consistently have one of the higher voter turnout rates in the region, particularly among countries where voting is not mandatory.
Sources:
- •COMELEC Official Election Results 2022(May 2022)
- •Indonesia General Elections Commission (KPU)(February 2024)
- •International IDEA Voter Turnout Database(October 2024)
"The average age of Filipino farmers is over 60 years old."
Claimed by: Kiko Pangilinan | Source: CNN Philippines Town Hall
Fact Check:
According to the latest Census of Agriculture conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2022, the average age of Filipino farmers is 57-59 years old, with a significant percentage over 60. This represents an aging trend in the agricultural sector, with fewer young Filipinos entering farming as a profession. The Department of Agriculture has confirmed this demographic challenge in its strategic planning documents.
Sources:
- •Philippine Statistics Authority Census of Agriculture(October 2022)
- •Department of Agriculture Strategic Plan(January 2024)
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"95% of Filipinos are now covered by the national health insurance program."
Claimed by: Bong Go | Source: CNN Philippines Town Hall
Fact Check:
According to the latest data from PhilHealth, approximately 92% of Filipinos are enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program as of December 2024, slightly lower than the claimed 95%. This represents a significant increase from 87% coverage in 2020. However, full implementation of the Universal Health Care Act remains challenging, with issues in benefit coverage, service accessibility, and financial protection. Many Filipinos with PhilHealth coverage still face substantial out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.
Sources:
- •PhilHealth Annual Report(December 2024)
- •Department of Health UHC Implementation Report(October 2024)
- •World Health Organization Philippines Country Report(September 2024)
"The Philippines' ranking in the Corruption Perception Index has improved by 20 places in the last three years."
Claimed by: Vic Rodriguez | Source: Harapan sa Diliman: UP Senatorial Forum
Fact Check:
According to Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI), the Philippines ranked 115th out of 180 countries in 2024, a slight improvement from 116th in 2023, but worse than its rank of 113th in 2022. Over the three-year period from 2022 to 2024, the Philippines' ranking has fluctuated slightly but has not improved by 20 places as claimed. In fact, the country's CPI score has remained relatively stagnant, moving from 33/100 in 2022 to 34/100 in 2024.
Sources:
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"The Philippines has tripled its renewable energy capacity in the last five years."
Claimed by: Teddy Casiño | Source: GMA Senatorial Debate
Fact Check:
According to the Department of Energy's latest Philippine Power Statistics, the country's total installed renewable energy capacity increased from 7,227 MW in 2020 to 8,965 MW by the end of 2024, representing an increase of approximately 24%, not the 300% (tripling) claimed. While there has been significant growth in solar and wind energy capacity, the overall renewable energy capacity has not tripled. The Philippines has set ambitious targets for renewable energy expansion, but implementation has faced delays and regulatory challenges.
Sources:
- •Department of Energy Philippine Power Statistics(December 2024)
- •National Renewable Energy Board Report(October 2024)
- •International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Country Profile(September 2024)
"70% of the Philippines' major infrastructure projects are funded by Chinese loans."
Claimed by: Eric Martinez | Source: GMA Senatorial Debate
Fact Check:
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Finance data, Chinese Official Development Assistance (ODA) accounts for approximately 8% of the Philippines' total active ODA portfolio as of December 2024. Japan remains the largest source of infrastructure funding, providing around 36% of total ODA, followed by the Asian Development Bank (19%), the World Bank (14%), and South Korea (8%). While some high-profile projects receive Chinese funding, the claim of 70% is significantly exaggerated.
Sources:
- •NEDA ODA Portfolio Review(December 2024)
- •Department of Finance Foreign Loan Agreements(November 2024)
- •Philippine Institute for Development Studies Research Paper(September 2024)
"Poverty incidence in the Philippines has been reduced to below 10% for the first time in history."
Claimed by: Imee Marcos | Source: CNN Philippines Town Hall
Fact Check:
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority's official poverty statistics released in September 2024, the national poverty incidence among Filipinos for the first semester of 2024 was estimated at 17.3%. While this represents a decrease from 23.7% in 2021, it is still significantly higher than the claimed "below 10%". The lowest recorded poverty incidence in Philippine history was 16.6% in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic caused an increase. The claim significantly misrepresents the current poverty situation in the country.
Sources:
- •Philippine Statistics Authority Poverty Statistics(September 2024)
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- •World Bank Philippines Poverty Assessment(November 2024)
Understanding Our Verdicts
True
The statement is accurate and contains no significant omissions.
Mostly True
The statement is accurate but needs clarification or additional information.
Half True
The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details or is misleading.
Mostly False
The statement contains some elements of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression.
False
The statement is not accurate.
How We Fact-Check
Our fact-checking process follows these steps to ensure accuracy and fairness:
- We identify claims made by senatorial candidates during debates, interviews, or campaign events.
- We research the claim using official government data, academic research, and credible news sources.
- We consult subject matter experts when necessary for complex topics.
- We evaluate the claim based on available evidence and assign a verdict.
- We provide a detailed explanation of our reasoning and cite all sources used.
- We review and update fact checks if new information becomes available.
If you believe a fact check contains an error or if you have a claim you would like us to investigate, please contact us at factcheck@election2025.ph.
Last updated: April 24, 2025