A video circulating on social media falsely claims that the Philippine government plans to confiscate houses with unpermitted solar panels. This misinformation has sparked outrage among citizens grappling with rising electricity costs.
Viral Miscommunication Fueling Public Anger
The clip features Palace Press Officer Claire Castro allegedly stating, "If your house is found to have solar panels without permits, then your house will be taken by the government." This statement has not been made by any credible source.
Several videos containing the claim have been circulating on Facebook, with the most popular one gaining 3.2 million views, 19,200 reactions, and 3,400 shares as of writing.
Fact Check Report
Fact-checking efforts revealed that the audio in the video contained an AI-generated watermark, indicating it was not a legitimate statement. Analysis by multiple AI detection tools confirmed the audio's artificial nature.
- Google's SynthID technology detected the AI watermark.
- HiveDetect rated it 81.8% likely to be AI-generated.
- UndetectableAI rated the audio as only 1% real.
As of now, no government announcement supports this claim, nor has it appeared in any official press briefings or credible news outlets.
Context: Solar Panel Regulations and Public Backlash
The discourse surrounding solar energy regulation has intensified recently, particularly after Meralco's calls for stricter guidelines on solar installations. This has coincided with a public outcry over increasing power rates, leading to a heightened sensitivity toward government policies.
Misinformation like the claim about home seizures not only fuels public anger but also distracts from genuine discussions about energy policies and regulations.
Regular Target of Misinformation
Claire Castro has become a frequent target of false claims, underscoring the challenges faced by public officials in the digital age. Previous fact-checks have debunked various rumors about her statements and actions.