AI-Generated Video Puts Stronger Words in Romualdez’s Mouth on Duterte Corruption Allegations

A video posted on May 21 shows Martin Romualdez appearing to say, “Kung wala kang itinatago, Inday, bakit hindi ka humarap at sagutin ang madlang people? ” The clip had accumulated 943,000 reactions, 12,000 reactions, 2,100 comments, and 1,500 shares by June 2. Rappler reported that the video carries no disclaimer indicating it was produced with artificial intelligence.

4 percent evidence of AI-generated speech. Undetectable AI assigned a 75 percent probability of synthetic origin, and Deepware Scanner also flagged the file as suspicious. No news reports cite Romualdez making the precise statement displayed in the video.

In a separate November 2024 press release he stated, “Kung wala kang [Duterte] itinatago, bakit hindi sagutin ang mga tanong? ” The video circulated days after the Senate convened as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial. Duterte is scheduled to face trial in the Senate in July.

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Romualdez. ” Romualdez, who served as House Speaker in 2024, faces separate corruption allegations. Former House appropriations committee chairperson Zaldy Co accused him of orchestrating the insertion of P100 billion in projects into the 2025 budget; Romualdez denied the claim in a video statement.

Rappler rated the claim that the video shows Romualdez making the displayed statement FALSE. The fact-check article was published June 2 at 2:00 PM PHT by student journalist Angelee Kaye Abelinde, an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. Rappler has previously examined other false claims involving Romualdez and the impeachment proceedings.