MISLEADING: SC “slams” Hontiveros over unanimous ruling claim

Jamayka Rhose Pascual

Numerous social media posts and headlines claim that the Supreme Court (SC) “slammed” Senator Risa Hontiveros for allegedly “spreading fake news” when she stated that the case League of Cities of the Philippines v Comelec (2009) was unanimously reversed on motion for reconsideration.

These posts often include dramatic phrases, including “fake news” and “slams Hontiveros,” giving the public the impression that the Court directly called out and reprimanded the senator.

CLAIM: The SC officially accused Hontiveros of “fake news” and publicly criticized her for wrongly citing the League of Cities case.

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION:

The SC did release a statement, but it did not use the words “fake news,” “slam,” or anything suggesting a personal condemnation. Through spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting, the Court simply clarified that the League of Cities decision was not unanimous and urged the public to check the official records.

The facts:

• During a Senate impeachment debate in relation to Vice President Sara Duterte’s case, Hontiveros cited League of Cities of the Philippines v. Comelec (2009) and another case, saying both were unanimously reversed on motion for reconsideration.
• The SC clarified that the League of Cities ruling was not unanimous, but did not accuse her of lying or intentionally spreading false information.
• The official statement contained no language indicating “fake news” or “slam.”
• The clarification was addressed to the public, not as a formal censure of the senator.
• Sensationalized online posts exaggerated the clarification into something it wasn’t—a personal rebuke.
• “We clarify that the Supreme Court’s ruling in the League of Cities case was not unanimous. Please refer to the Decision and Resolutions published in the Supreme Court E-Library and the Philippine Reports,” Ting explained in the issued statement.

The bottom line

The SC did correct the record, but it did not “slam” or accuse Senator Hontiveros of “fake news.” The online posts and headlines framing it as a direct attack are misleading. For accurate information, it’s best to consult official sources such as the SC E-Library and the Philippine Reports.