Senator Risa Hontiveros Calls Out Fake News Linking Her to Alex Eala
Fake news is nothing new online, but it hits differently when even public officials become targets. Recently, Senator Risa Hontiveros found herself at the center of another wave of misinformation, and this time, it involved rising tennis star Alex Eala.
The issue started when posts began circulating online claiming that Hontiveros asked Eala to endorse an advocacy, and that the athlete strongly refused. The story painted a dramatic scene, with quotes that sounded sharp, emotional, and very shareable. It quickly gained traction.
But there was one big problem, it was not true.
Hontiveros responded directly on social media with a strong message. She wrote, “STOP THE LIES! Hindi ako humingi ng anumang pag-endorso ni ALEX EALA. Meta, please do something about these AI-generated posts.” Along with this, she shared screenshots pointing to the sources of the claims.
Two names stood out, Jay Sonza and Malou Tiquia.
Sonza, a former radio and TV host, posted a detailed narrative on Facebook. It described Eala as firmly rejecting a supposed request from the senator, even quoting her as saying, “I am an athlete, not a tool for your political agenda.” The post read like a dramatic script, complete with strong emotions and a clean ending that made it easy for readers to share.
Tiquia, a professor and political analyst with a PhD in Public Administration, echoed a similar version on Twitter. Her post repeated the same claims and tone, adding that the situation reportedly upset Hontiveros and ended with Eala gaining praise.
— Malou Tiquia (@maltiq) March 31, 2026
Both accounts carry blue verification checkmarks, a symbol that many users still associate with credibility. Yet despite that, the information being shared was misleading.
This is where things get frustrating.
Posts like these can be reported over and over again, flagged by users, even called out publicly, and still remain online. Platforms like Meta Platforms and X Corp. often take too long to act, or worse, do not act at all. Accounts that repeatedly spread false or misleading information continue posting as if nothing happened.
It raises a serious question. What exactly does it take for content to be taken down? And how many reports are enough before action is actually enforced?
If a sitting senator of the Philippines can be targeted by fake news like this, and the posts can spread freely even when reported, what more for ordinary people? Not everyone has a platform to fight back or clarify their side. Most people would simply be left dealing with the damage.
What makes it even more disappointing is the source. When a well-educated professor joins the spread of questionable information, it raises serious concerns. Education is supposed to sharpen critical thinking, not blur the line between fact and fiction.
At the end of the day, this situation is not just about one viral story. It shows how easy it is for false narratives to grow online, especially when they are packaged in a dramatic and believable way. Add a verified badge into the mix, and people are even more likely to trust and share without checking.
And until platforms start taking stronger and faster action, this cycle will just keep repeating.
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