FACT CHECK: Pacquiao Did Not Withdraw His Candidacy For President

Claim: A video posted by BALITA NEWS TV on its YouTube channel on March 16 said Sen. Manny Pacquiao would no longer continue his presidential bid as he was disqualified from running in the upcoming elections.

The video was titled "BREAKING! BBM NAGULAT! KARMA NA PACQUIA0 DISQUALlFlED NA AATRAS NASA LABAN!? ATIENZA NAIWAN SA ERE!"

Rating: False, Misleading

Facts:

Shown on the thumbnail of the video is the line, “Manny magwi-withdraw na” accompanied by a photo of Pacquiao holding a document with a “disqualified” stamp.

But Pacquaio has denied as early as February reports circulating that he would be withdrawing from the presidential race.

The Commission on Elections and Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Promdi party have also not made any announcement regarding the withdrawal or disqualification of Pacquiao from running for the highest office.

The photo used on the video’s thumbnail was from Pacquiao’s filing of his certificate of candidacy with his running mate, Buhay Hayaang Yumabong party-list Rep. Lito Atienza last October 2021. The photo of Pacquiao was edited and marked “disqualified.”

The Filipino boxing champion continues to campaign for his presidency. On the same day that the video was posted, Pacquaio was shown on his official Facebook page meeting with supporters in Sarangani.

Contrary to the title and thumbnail, the video also mostly talked about some members of Buhay party-list group withdrawing their support for Atienza and Pacquiao, which happened way back October 2021. However, the video made it appear that the declaration of Buhay party-list was just made recently.

Why it matters:

As of Friday, March 18, the video has garnered 27,943 views. The title and thumbnail of the video could create confusion among voters this coming May elections.