The Claim: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has allegedly retrieved $987 billion from a Belgium bank account in his father’s name during the visit of the European Commission president to the Philippines.

Why It Needs Fact-Checking: Currently, a YouTube video with hearsay claims has garnered 529,000 views on an account with 462K subscribers. The video’s thumbnail suggests that the alleged Marcos account was retrieved during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to the Philippines in July 2023. The thumbnail features photos of Marcos and Von der Leyen alongside the text: “$987 billion dollars. Marcos account finally retrieved by PBBM.”

Imelda Marcos, the President’s mother, is also seen in the thumbnail holding an unclear document with the text “987 billion shown.”

When Imagination Knows No Bounds: The realm of social media often witnesses astounding claims that defy logic and reality. In the Philippines, a group of ardent Marcos loyalists and vloggers have taken this tendency to new heights – or depths, depending on how one sees it.

These shameless propagators of misinformation are asserting that the Marcos family’s wealth eclipses that of the world’s five wealthiest individuals combined: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, and Warren Buffett. Are these individuals truly convinced of this unfathomable assertion, or is it a mere ploy for online views and advertising revenue?

The Unbelievable Comparison: Let’s dissect this claim for a moment. According to these pro-Marcos vloggers, the Marcos clan is purportedly richer than Elon Musk’s staggering $180 billion, Jeff Bezos’ colossal $114 billion, Bill Gates’ formidable $104 billion, Bernard Arnualt’s impressive $211 billion, and Warren Buffett’s substantial $106 billion. This assertion transcends the realm of imagination into the surreal.

The Truth: There is no truth to the claim that the President retrieved the alleged $987 billion Marcos account during Von der Leyen’s visit to the Philippines in July. There is no evidence to prove that the Marcos family has an account in a Belgian bank.

Funds for Green Energy: The money featured in the photo is the 60 million euros grant given by the European Union to the Philippines for the Green Economy Program. The Green Economy Program is an initiative under the Global Gateway program aimed at helping the Philippines achieve a circular economy, renewable energy, and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The photo shown in the video’s thumbnail is from the signing of an agreement between Marcos and Von der Leyen at Malacaсang Palace on July 31.

Unproven: The video failed to provide evidence of the Marcos family having a bank account in Belgium.

The video also featured a clip from a 2009 BBC documentary featuring Imelda Marcos and BBC journalist Simon Reeve. In the clip, the former First Lady showed a certificate allegedly proving a $987 billion deposit in a Brussels, Belgium bank under the name of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. However, the documentary is no longer available on the BBC’s website, and an earlier fact-check by Vera Files in 2022 revealed no evidence of the alleged bank account.

Insanity or Calculated Sensationalism?: One can’t help but wonder whether these vloggers are driven by an unwavering devotion that blinds them to reality or if their antics are fueled by a more calculated desire to generate online attention. It’s a fine line between genuine belief and sensationalism for personal gain.

Unmasking the Mirage: Let’s be clear – this claim lacks any credible basis. The sheer enormity of wealth required to surpass the combined net worth of global titans is a figment of imagination that defies economic and financial logic.

An Ultimate Reality Check: The glaring inconsistency between these claims and actual financial data serves as a stark reminder of the depths to which misinformation can sink in the digital age. The audacity of these vloggers to propose a notion so far removed from reality underscores the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking.

Beyond Delusion: The line between allegiance and fantasy can be blurry, especially when emotions run high. Yet, it’s essential to approach extraordinary claims with skepticism and a healthy dose of scrutiny. In the case of these pro-Marcos vloggers, the claim that the Marcoses eclipse the wealth of the world’s wealthiest is a reminder that even in the digital era, truth remains an invaluable asset.

Questionable Motivations:

• Are these vloggers genuinely convinced of their claim or are they exploiting sensationalism?
• Is the desire for views and advertising revenue behind these extraordinary assertions?
• How does society navigate a landscape where misinformation takes center stage?