Recent social media content has sparked widespread misinformation regarding the alleged detention of Liza Marcos, the First Lady of the Philippines. A TikTok video shared on March 28, embellished with hashtags referencing former President Duterte, falsely suggested that the First Lady was detained in Los Angeles. This claim, despite being debunked by the video’s own chyron, circulated widely across various platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, amassing significant attention.
In the aftermath of Duterte’s arrest on March 11 and his expedited transfer to the International Criminal Court, tension between his family and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos has intensified. This discord follows a previous alliance between the two political families, which soured after Marcos partnered with Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, to secure a victory in the 2022 presidential and vice-presidential elections. The animosity has since escalated into public confrontations, with personal insults exchanged, including accusations against Marcos by Duterte.
Despite the claims, the video in question has been identified as edited, lacking any corroboration from official sources regarding any detention of the First Lady in the United States. Using a Google reverse image search, AFP verified that the video repurposed content from a legitimate report by the Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC). The original report, available on ANC’s verified YouTube channel since March 13, 2025, contradicts the false narrative, explicitly stating that the presidential palace refuted the rumors of Marcos’s detainment.
Local media, including Malacañang, swiftly dismissed the unfounded claims on March 13, asserting that the First Lady had not faced any legal issues during her visit to the United States. Supporting this, a video posted on Marcos’s verified Facebook page on March 11 showcased her public appearances in Los Angeles between March 5 and 8. Additionally, Inquirer.net reported her presence at the Manila International Film Festival in California, further validating her unrestricted activities during the trip.
The Bottom Line
The propagation of misinformation regarding high-profile figures such as Liza Marcos highlights the critical importance of verifying facts before spreading information on social media. For the public, it serves as a reminder to approach online content with skepticism, especially when dealing with politically charged narratives. The false claims about the First Lady could influence public perception and strain diplomatic relations if taken at face value.
As misinformation continues to spread rapidly across digital platforms, individuals must exercise due diligence by cross-referencing multiple sources and relying on verified news outlets for accurate information. This incident underscores the need for increased media literacy, empowering individuals to discern factual news from fabricated stories effectively. The broader implication is a call for social media platforms to enhance their fact-checking mechanisms to prevent the viral spread of misleading content.