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

Claim: A photo shows supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte having a boodle fight and gathering right in front of the Senate building. 

Rating: FALSE 

Why we fact-checked this: The photo has already received 12,400 reactions, 1,600 comments, and 586 shares as of writing. It was posted on May 31, during the 48th birthday of Duterte. 

The image shows a long table where food is arranged and served on banana leaves. Individuals wearing green shirts swarm the area together with large speakers and posters bearing Duterte’s name. 

The caption of the post reads, “The massive boodle fight held in front of the Senate is a reflection of the strong grassroots support and deep connection many Filipinos feel toward her leadership. More than a celebration, it symbolizes unity, shared aspirations, and hope for a better future.” 

The post does not have any disclaimer that the photo was created using artificial intelligence. Some Facebook users believed that the image is real, while others expressed alarm over the inauthenticity of the photo. 

The facts: The photo is AI-generated. AI detection tool Sight Engine flagged the image as 99% likely to be generated using AI. Hive Moderation also flagged the image as 99.9% likely to contain AI-generated content. 

While Duterte supporters did have their gathering on May 31, it was not held right in front of the Senate building, contrary to what the AI-generated photo shows. Various videos and photos shared on social media show that the boodle fight was held at the Jose W. Diokno Boulevard, outside the Senate’s gate. 

A news report of Bilyonaryo News Channel on May 31 and a video posted on YouTube by a content creator present in the event indicate that the long buffet was set up at the side of the highway. Specific landmarks such as the flowering tree, sheltered pathway, Four E-Com Center building, and TRYP by Wyndham Mall of Asia Manila can be seen in the background. 

Using these landmarks, Google Maps showed that the specific location of the boodle fight was outside the gate of the Senate, not in front of the Senate building. 

Impeachment: The boodle fight, a feast that originated from the military where individuals are gathered together to eat, was held to celebrate the birthday of Vice President Duterte who is currently facing an impeachment case. 

The impeachment articles have already reached the Senate and the trial is set to begin on July 6. In her response, Duterte seeks to dismiss the articles due to constitutional, procedural, and substantive defects. 

Previous fact-checks: Rappler has previously debunked similar false claims about Duterte and the impeachment: 

• FACT CHECK: No SC order blocking 2026 impeachment proceedings vs Duterte 
• FACT CHECK: No, Sara Duterte won’t be proclaimed president over Marcos health rumors 
• FACT CHECK: Supreme Court did not dismiss Sara Duterte impeachment after House hearings 
• FACT CHECK: 2025 news report used to claim VP Sara is now impeached 
• FACT CHECK: Video of Trillanes calling Sara Duterte an ‘addict’ is AI-generated 

– Angelee Kaye Abelinde/Rappler.com 

Angelee Kaye Abelinde is a student journalist based in Naga City, and an alumna of Rappler’s Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship 2024. 

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.