FACT CHECK: Marcos remains president; Sara Duterte stays as VP

Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has already resigned from office, and Vice President Sara Duterte is set to assume the presidency. 

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The YouTube video containing the claim was posted on April 17, 2026, and has since garnered over 9,800 views, 701 likes, and 69 comments as of writing. The video was uploaded by a YouTube channel called “PINAS BALITA TV,” which poses as a news outlet and has 170,000 subscribers.

In the video, the narrator claims that several members of Marcos’ Cabinet are already resigning, suggesting that there is a loss of confidence in the administration and implying that the President should be replaced.

The title of the video states: “HETO NA! SAWAKAS! RES1GN NA! B1G PASAB0G ng MALAK4NYANG! BEBE EM BINIG-LA LAHAT! MARC0S RES1GN N0W!” (This is it! Finally! Already resigned! Big surprise of Malacañang! BBM surprised everyone! Marcos resign now!)

The facts: Marcos remains the president of the Philippines. Malacañang and other government authorities have not issued any announcement about his resignation, removal, or any transfer of power to Duterte. There are also no verified reports showing that he has stepped down, been ousted, or is unable to perform his duties. 

The rules for presidential succession stipulated under the Article VII, Section 8 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution state that, “In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term.”

Since none of these constitutional conditions have occurred or been officially confirmed, there is no legal basis for a vacancy in the presidency. Duterte also remains as vice president and has not assumed the presidency.

Marcos’ health: Rappler recently fact-checked multiple false claims circulating online about Marcos’ health, including narratives suggesting that Duterte could assume the presidency.

Marcos dismissed rumors of serious illness during an impromptu Malacañang briefing on April 13, 2026, rejecting the reports and challenging critics to a workout while stating he remains in “very, very good health.” He also confirmed that he had recovered from a January 2026 diverticulitis hospitalization and continues to perform full presidential duties. 

Impeachment hearing: The claim circulated amid the House justice committee’s second impeachment hearing against Duterte on April 14, 2026, which the Vice President skipped. The hearing focused on allegations tied to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Ramil Madriaga, a self-confessed former Duterte “bagman,” testified on alleged fund handling irregularities and claimed links between Duterte’s circle and cash movements involving government spending. (WATCH: Rappler Recap: Madriaga’s most explosive revelations at VP Sara impeachment hearing)

Following the hearing, the House issued subpoenas for Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and income tax returns, while the Commission on Audit (COA) ordered the Office of the Vice President to return P375 million in confidential funds for 2023, citing multiple violations of rules governing such expenditures. (READ: New COA notice orders Sara Duterte to return P375-M OVP confidential funds for 2023)

The House has 60 session days from February 23 to resolve the complaints. If the committee approves a report recommending impeachment, it will need a one-third vote in the House plenary before the case is transmitted to the Senate for trial. Only a Senate conviction can remove Duterte from office and permanently disqualify her from holding public office. – Marjuice Destinado/Rappler.com

Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU) and an alumna of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2025.

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