FALSE

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok posts circulating ahead of the Philippines’ polls on May 9 claim voters are required to present proof of Covid vaccination or a negative coronavirus test in order to vote. This is false: voters only need to wear a face mask to vote, according to the country’s elections agency Comelec. The video featured in the posts — watched over a million times — shows an erroneous news report aired on local broadcaster TV5 that was later corrected.

The claim was shared on Facebook on April 27, 2022.

The post features a two-minute video bearing the logo of Frontline Tonight, a newscast produced by local television broadcaster TV5.

The clip is overlaid with text that states: “NEW RULES ON VOTING IN THE 2022 ELECTIONS / NO FACE MASK NO FACE SHIELD NO VOTE / AND PRESENT YOUR VACCINATION CARD / DATE AIRING: JANUARY 27, 2022”.

Read the full story on AFP Fact Check.

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AFP launched its digital verification service in France in 2017 and has grown to become the leading global fact-checking organisation, with dedicated journalists in countries from the United States to the Philippines. Our journalists monitor online content in local languages. They take into account local cultures, languages and politics and work with AFP’s bureaus worldwide to investigate and disprove false information, focusing on items that can be harmful, impactful and manipulative.