Misleadingly edited clip does not show Philippine lawmaker 'announcing universal pension law'
- Published on September 12, 2024 at 11:20
- 4 min read
- By Lucille SODIPE, AFP Philippines
Copyright © AFP 2017-2025. Any commercial use of this content requires a subscription. Click here to find out more.
"All senior citizens will now have pension," reads the Tagalog-language text on a TikTok clip shared on August 20, 2024.
The clip, which was viewed more than 25,000 times, shows Philippine lawmaker Stella Quimbo speaking in the House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress.
She says: "Whether you're an indigent or not, whether you have an existing pension or none at all, all senior citizens will receive pension."
"I repeat, this means, it's automatic that once you reach 60 years old, you will be included in the social pension. Whether or not you are an existing SSS or GSIS pensioner."
Representative Quimbo was referring to existing, government-run pension schemes for "indigent senior citizens" as well as public and private sector employees (archived links here, here and here).
The clip was viewed millions of times after it was shared on TikTok here and here, as well as on Facebook here and here.
"So this means it's okay not to pay the contribution. Wow, the Philippines is so rich," wrote one user.
Another commented: "Where can I go to get my name on a list? I'm already 65 years old with no pension."
While a proposal to grant all Filipino senior citizens a universal social pension is making its way through Congress, it has not -- as of September 12, 2024 -- been enacted.
The clip circulating online has been truncated to omit the parts of Quimbo's full speech where she states the measure has not yet become law.
Bill sponsor
A reverse image search on Google using a keyframe from the misleadingly shared clip led to a longer video posted by the official YouTube channel of the House of Representatives on May 15 -- a week before the bill was passed (archived link).
The video shows Quimbo's full speech about the bill, starting at the 5:51:15 mark. The section used in the misleading posts begins at the video's 5:54:30 mark.
Below is a screenshot comparison of the clip used on TikTok (left) and the video posted by the House of Representatives (right):
In her speech, Quimbo -- who sponsored the bill -- explains the purpose of the measure (archived link).
Immediately prior to the clip that was used in the misleading posts, she says: "Through this measure, indigent seniors will continue to receive their 1,000 pesos monthly pension, and the rest of the elderly citizen population who are not currently covered will receive at least 500 pesos per month.
"By mandating a social pension for all seniors, we ensure that every senior citizen in our country has a basic level of income security."
She ends her remarks by thanking her colleagues for "considering this vital piece of legislation".
Quimbo also posted parts of the same speech on her Facebook page after the bill was approved by the House of Representatives on May 21 (archived link).
She ended the Tagalog-language post with: "Let us all focus on the Senate until this becomes law."
The proposal to grant a universal social pension to senior citizens -- House Bill 10423 -- was approved by the 317-member House of Representatives on May 21 (archived link).
The bill was then sent to the Senate; both chambers need to approve the measure before it is sent for the president's signature to become law.
AFP has previously debunked misleading claims about pensions in the Philippines here, here and here.
Is there content that you would like AFP to fact-check? Get in touch.
Contact us
