A surge of hyperpartisan content targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has erupted on social media platforms, with pro-Duterte accounts accusing him of illegal substance abuse, veiled under the term “polvoron use.”
Between late December 2023 and January 2024, anonymous accounts flooded social media with posts and videos alleging, without evidence, that Marcos had been captured on video using illegal substances, aiming to destabilize his presidency.
Philstar.com’s analysis reveals a coordinated effort against Marcos and his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos. Identical videos were repeatedly posted by twelve Facebook pages, fueling speculation about the president’s alleged activities.
Additionally, viral content featuring Vice President Sara Duterte and former Commissioner of Elections Rowena Guanzon holding “polvoron” candies was repurposed to support these claims.
The timing of this campaign is notable, following significant political events in 2023, including the House’s removal of the vice president’s confidential funds in October and Rodrigo Duterte’s accusations of corruption against House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos, in November.
While the rift between Marcos and Duterte persists, it’s crucial to underscore that the allegations of illegal substance abuse remain unsubstantiated and lack concrete evidence.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 29, 2024
