Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte made headlines once again, this time in Hong Kong, where he told a crowd of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) that he is ready to face arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Admitting to the drug-related killings under his watch, Duterte attempted to justify his actions by claiming they were for the welfare of Filipinos—effectively pulling a Pontius Pilate move.

Adding to the political spectacle, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, stood by his side, using the rally as a platform to seek public sympathy. With legal troubles looming over her in June, she framed their family as victims of persecution under the Marcos administration, calling on supporters to stand with them.

But here’s the catch: There is “no ICC red notice” for Duterte’s arrest. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra himself confirmed that if such a notice existed, it would have to be formally transmitted through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) before any legal action could be taken. The President would then direct the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to involve the Philippine National Police (PNP) in carrying out the arrest. In short, this supposed ICC warrant was nothing more than a rumor.

So how did this baseless claim gain traction? Enter newly appointed Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz. Instead of dismissing the speculation outright, Ruiz responded in a way that fueled the controversy. The damage was done—until his own Press Officer, Atty. Claire Castro, contradicted him, clarifying that Malacañang had received **no official word** on the matter.

Ruiz had one job: to combat disinformation. Instead, he inadvertently “validated fake news,” undermining Malacañang’s very mission. If the administration is serious about fighting disinformation, how can it justify spreading it? This blunder exposes the government’s double standards—claiming to champion truth while carelessly amplifying falsehoods.

Now the question remains: If Malacañang itself plays fast and loose with the facts, can it still be trusted to lead the fight against fake news?