FACT CHECK: DTI quote on P50 weekly allowance for college students is fake

Claim: Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque said that a P50 allowance is sufficient for college students’ weekly expenses.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The graphic began circulating on December 11 via Facebook. It featured a photo of Roque being interviewed, with text at the bottom that reads: “DTI: 50 pesos na allowance sa mga college students, kasya na for 1 week.”

(DTI: A P50 weekly allowance is enough for college students.) 

The post quickly gained traction, prompting negative reactions through reels and lengthy commentaries from social media users. Several referenced the DTI’s earlier claim that P500 would be enough for a family to have a decent Noche Buena, drawing flak from the public.

One such post received over 99,000 reactions, 20,000 comments, and 27,000 shares as of writing.

The facts: There is no record of the trade secretary making this statement in recent press events, interviews, or on official pages and websites. 

Additionally, based on a Google reverse image search, the photo used in the graphic matches photos and videos from Roque’s visit to Cebu City last November to monitor compliance with the nationwide price freeze on basic necessities. She did not make a comment about college students’ allowances at any point during this visit.

The fake quote seemed to have been intended as satire. It was originally published on December 11, drawing more than 74,000 reactions and 107,000 shares, and was accompanied by quotes implied to be Roque’s: “Choosy pa kayo! P20 nga lang sa panahon namin (You are all choosy! It was only P20 during our time).”

The creator of the graphic included a disclaimer stating that the post was satire and not intended to mislead or spread disinformation. This disclaimer, however, has been omitted in many reposts and in posts criticizing the fabricated quote. (READ: SATIRE VS FAKE NEWS: Can you tell the difference?)

DTI’s recent remarks: Prior to the circulation of the fake quote, many social media users linked it to remarks made by Roque in late November, in which she said that a budget of P500 is enough to prepare a Noche Buena meal for a family of four based on the DTI’s Price Guide.

“Kung tutuusin, sa P500 makakabili na kayo ng ham. Makakagawa ka na ng macaroni salad, makakagawa ka na rin ng spaghetti, depende rin po ’yan kung ilan ’yong taong kakain,” she said.

(If you think about it, with P500 you can already buy ham. You can make macaroni salad and spaghetti. It also depends on how many people will be eating.)

Her comments sparked strong reactions from lawmakers who called the suggestion unrealistic and tone-deaf. Vice President Sara Duterte also slammed the remark, while celebrities and social media users challenged the DTI to attempt grocery shopping with the P500 budget. (READ: [Vantage Point] The P500 Noche Buena: Rewriting math, economics, and the laws of physics)

Roque has since defended her position and clarified that the estimated budget was possible for a simple family meal for four rather than an elaborate celebration. (READ: [OPINION] Noche Buena for P500: The Christmas script no one believes anymore)

Malacañang also stood by the department, framing the discussion as a question of whether such a budget was “doable.” – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com 

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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