FACT-CHECK | Picture showing Marcos wearing an earpiece does not mean he was being coached during Manila Times-DZRH forum

 

A social media post circulating on Facebook, claiming presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was getting coached during the Manila Times-DZRH forum because there was a picture showing him wearing an earpiece, was not accurate.

Some netizens questioned his ability to face questions from the media after snubbing the presidential interviews from broadcast giant GMA Network hosted by veteran journalist Jessica Soho, accusing her of being biased against the Marcoses.

But radio DZRH, which organized the program, said the earpiece is actually a monitor, a standard broadcasting equipment used in the studio to help panelists and guest speakers hear each other more clearly. Other presidential aspirants – labor leader Leody de Guzman and Senator Panfilo Lacson – were also observed to be wearing the same equipment during their respective interviews.

The claim that someone is coaching Marcos Jr during the interview lacked substantive basis. It is false.

CLAIM:

A Facebook page named “R E S I B O” on January 27 alleged that Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr was wearing an earpiece during the presidential interviews with radio station DZRH for someone to prompt or coach his answers, accusing him of cheating during the interview. A few other posts on social media also shared the same sentiments.

This followed after #MarcosDuwag trended on social media early this month after he went no-show to the earlier presidential interviews with Jessica Soho, accusing the award-winning journalist of being biased against the Marcoses. Soho had previously interviewed him over his father’s controversies in 2011, when he was then a senator.

But some netizens were speculating that he was only willing to accept interviews from shows that would allow for someone to coach his answers live, questioning his ability to handle media interviews on his own.

RATING: FALSE

FACTS:

John Codorniz, the chief engineer of Manila Broadcasting Company, operator of DZRH, told News5 that the earpiece is an in-ear monitor used for the guest presidential bets and panelists to hear each other clearly. It is also used to monitor on-air cues.

He said the equipment is standardly used in all broadcasts on air, including radio, debunking claims that it is used for coaching guest speakers.

“We have five lapel mics in the studio, and each mics for panelists were all monitors of each person to hear clearly the questions from panel and response from the guest presidential,” Codorniz said in response to a media query. “We cannot use speakers or else this will result in feedback and echo… Lapel mics are very sensitive picking up all ambiance noise.”

Other netizens were also quick to point out that other presidential aspirants who attended the interview, such as labor leader Leody de Guzman who was interviewed a day after Marcos, were wearing the same equipment.

WHY IT MATTERS:

The Facebook post garnered over 2,000 reactions, 478 shares, and 465 comments as of writing. Some other similar posts on Facebook and Twitter also received hundreds or thousands of reactions or likes as well.

News5 is part of #FactsFirstPH which brings together various sectors that are committed to promoting truth in the public space, and exacting accountability on those who harm it with lies.

This article FACT-CHECK | Picture showing Marcos wearing an earpiece does not mean he was being coached during Manila Times-DZRH forum was originally published in News TV5.