FALSE: Kara David says Boss Toyo was paid to clear the names linked to Zambales illegal dumpsite

Jessie Marco Cabrera

A TikTok post by the account “PH News Update” claimed that journalist Kara David revealed that vlogger Boss Toyo and his team were allegedly paid to clear the names of those involved in the Zambales illegal dumpsite controversy.

CLAIM:

The post claimed that Kara David exposed Boss Toyo as having been paid to whitewash the names of those implicated in the issue.

RATING:

False

CONCLUSION:

The Facebook comment shown in the graphic discusses her reporting on the illegal dumpsite and explains the scope of her investigation. It contains no allegation that Boss Toyo or his team were paid to influence public opinion or defend those involved.

THE FACTS:

• Kara David said that her team investigated the issue for more than a month, noted that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared it illegal, interviewed members of the indigenous community, and sought the mayor’s side of the story.
• Nowhere in the statement did David allege that Boss Toyo and his team received payment to clear anyone’s name.
• David’s comment was posted under a post reacting to the discourse surrounding the issue.
• Kara David’s I-Witness documentary, “Ibinasurang Paraiso,” exposed an illegal dumpsite in Subic, Zambales, displacing the local Aeta community. 
• Content creator Boss Toyo questioned the documentary after going to a dumpsite, which was later revealed to not be the exact location of the one covered by Kara David. He later apologized after receiving backlash online.

BOTTOMLINE:

The claim is false. The headline in the graphic fabricates an allegation absent from her actual statement.