Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. on Sunday said recent statements attributed to him regarding sovereignty issues over Benham Rise are “fake news.” “Finake news po ako (I’m a victim of fake news),” Mr. Roque told reporters in a televised press conference in Iloilo City on Jan. 28, when asked to clarify his previous remarks regarding the underwater shelf northeast of the Philippine archipelago. “Alam mo masama ang loob ko kasi mga prestigious daw sila, pero alam mo in journalism ang unang unang tenet po talaga ay dedication to the truth, so pinost ko na po ang video para kayo na ang maghusga. Nagpepyesta lang sila dahil marami pong nagpapapansin lalo na yung mga academic na mga mediocre,” the spokesman added.

Balinbin, A. L. (2018, January 29). Roque cries 'fake news' on remarks on Benham Rise. BusinessWorld, p. S1/10.