MISLEADING: Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano appointed as head of defense panel for OVP

Kyle Samson

A Facebook post by PSNN: Philippine Satire News Network, published on July 14, claims that Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano was appointed as the head of the defense panel, representing the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

CLAIM:

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has been appointed as the head of the defense panel for the OVP in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION:

While critics have widely perceived Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as taking positions favorable for the defense during the impeachment proceedings, he was never officially appointed as the head of the OVP’s defense panel.

As of writing, no official announcement from the Senate, nor the OVP or other defense team, confirms this appointment.

The Philippine Satire News Network is a Facebook page that publishes satirical and parodical content. The posted graphic may falsely lead readers to believe that Cayetano was indeed appointed as the OVP’s defense counsel.

THE FACTS:

• As of writing, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano remains a senator-judge participating in the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte and is not listed among the official members of the OVP’s defense panel.
• Throughout the impeachment proceedings, Cayetano has delivered several manifestations emphasizing due process and the responsibility of the Senate to conduct a fair trial. Though some observers had criticized his arguments as appearing favorable to the defense, these public statements do not constitute an appointment as legal counsel for the defense panel.
• No official statements are coming from the OVP, the Senate, or recognized members of the defense team announcing Cayetano’s assumption of any role as defense attorney or lead counsel. Official reports and Senate proceedings continue to identify him solely as a senator-judge.
• The source of the claim, PSNN (Philippine Satire News Network), is a Facebook page known for publishing satirical political content. The post itself is satirical, using humor and exaggeration to comment on public perceptions of Cayetano’s conduct during the impeachment proceedings.

THE BOTTOM LINE

• The viral post is misleading as it presents a satirical claim in the format of a legitimate breaking news report. Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has not been officially appointed as the head of the Office of the Vice President’s defense panel. As of writing, he remains a senator-judge in the impeachment proceedings, while the OVP’s defense is represented by its officially designated legal counsel.