FALSE: Sen. Robin Padilla wants to make Rene Baterbonia’s death a holiday

Jessie Marco Cabrera

A TikTok post by an account named “Balita Ngayon” stated that Senator Robin Padilla wants to make the late student-athlete Rene Baterbonia’s day of death a holiday, more than 2 months after the incident

CLAIM:

The post claimed that Senator Padilla wanted to declare Baterbonia’s date of death a holiday.

RATING:

False

CONCLUSION:

The senator filed a Senate resolution to honor the student-athlete’s life and athleticism, not to propose a holiday in memory of Baterbonia. The Senate adopted the said resolution.

THE FACTS:

• The Municipality of Talacogon in Agusan del Sur, Rene’s hometown, declared June 8 of every year as “Rene Clert ‘Bobet’ Baterbonia Day.”
• Senator Robin Padilla filed Resolution No. 402 to honor Baterbonia’s life, athletic excellence, and contributions to Philippine sports, which the Senate formally adopted.
• No credible news report or public statement supports the post’s specific claim that Senator Padilla wishes for Rene Baterbonia’s day of death to become a holiday.

BOTTOMLINE:

The claim is false. The quote attributed to Senator Robin Padilla is likely fabricated.