FACT-CHECK: Photo of Duterte’s ‘Senate birthday boodle fight’ is AI-generated - Rappler

On May 31, 2024, a viral image falsely claimed to show supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte holding a large-scale boodle fight directly in front of the Philippine Senate building. The post, which garnered thousands of interactions, was presented as evidence of grassroots support for the Vice President during her 48th birthday, despite lacking any disclosure regarding its digital origin.

What happened

The image depicted a long table of food served on banana leaves surrounded by individuals in green shirts, accompanied by promotional materials for Duterte. It was shared with a caption framing the event as a symbol of unity and leadership, leading many social media users to believe the scene was authentic. However, the image was identified as synthetic media. Both the Sight Engine and Hive Moderation AI detection tools flagged the photo with 99% and 99.9% certainty, respectively, as being AI-generated.

While a boodle fight did occur on May 31 to celebrate Duterte’s birthday, investigations revealed the event actually took place at Jose W. Diokno Boulevard, outside the Senate gate, rather than in front of the building as the fabricated image suggested. Multiple sources, including a news report from the Bilyonaryo News Channel and footage from content creators, confirmed the event was held on the side of a highway. Landmarks visible in genuine footage—including the Four E-Com Center, the TRYP by Wyndham Mall of Asia Manila, and specific sheltered pathways—verified the actual location through Google Maps. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of distinguishing manipulated imagery from documented events, particularly in politically charged environments where supporters may circulate misleading visuals to bolster public narratives.