FACT CHECK: Sarah Discaya ‘confession’ on stealing public funds is a deepfake - Rappler

On June 17, 2025, a video circulated online featuring detained contractor Sarah Discaya purportedly confessing to the theft of public infrastructure funds and accusing government officials of systemic corruption. Fact-check analysis has confirmed the video is a fabrication, despite its significant reach on social media.

What happened

The deceptive video, posted by the Facebook page "ebodskz.tv," garnered over 10,000 views, 800 reactions, and 435 shares. It utilized AI-generated imagery to depict Discaya at a Senate hearing, claiming she admitted to stealing citizens' money and alleged that politicians profited from corruption schemes. The video's caption suggested her arrest was an attempt to silence her regarding these anomalies.

Technological analysis using the Deepware detection model Seferbekov indicated an 87% probability that the content is a deepfake. Further visual evidence, such as the subject not blinking throughout the duration of the clip, corroborated the assessment that the footage is not authentic.

Investigation into official records confirms the statement was never made. While Discaya has previously testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee regarding corruption in flood control projects and accused lawmakers of demanding kickbacks, her actual testimony does not match the fabricated statements attributed to her in the viral video. The deepfake resurfaced as the Senate resumed investigations into flood control issues under Senator Erwin Tulfo. This incident follows a pattern of misinformation, as Rappler previously debunked a similar deepfake video involving Discaya during hearings in the previous year.