Fact check: Misleading clips of Honeylet's remark suggest Duterte’s return after mayoral win

MANILA, Philippines — Days after the elections, multiple videos circulated online, misleading viewers with a clip of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s common-law wife and falsely claiming that his return to the Philippines had been decided on.

The posts feature a May 13 interview with Honeylet Avanceña, who thanked supporters following the midterm victories of Duterte-aligned senatorial candidates and Duterte’s own landslide win in the mayoral race in Davao City.

Speaking in Bisaya, Avanceña said nothing is impossible when people pray for Duterte to come home, adding that God is merciful. She insisted that they won’t stop demanding Duterte’s return and won’t allow him to remain detained.

Avanceña went on to say, “Makauli na siya,” which translates to “He can now go home.” This remark was met with chants of “Duterte!” from the crowd.

However, the videos circulating on Facebook and TikTok selectively cut or omit her earlier statements about faith and hope, presenting her message as a confirmation of Duterte’s return. 

The viral clips also added text overlays and captions claiming it is certain that Duterte is coming home, misleading viewers.

“Sigurado na makaka-uwi si Tatay Digong (It’s now sure that Duterte can come home),” a May 14 post by TikTok user duterte.dailyupdates read. 

Another post by TikTok user angeloguilaranpad said: “SA WAKAS MAKAKAUWI NA SI TATAY DIGONG NG DAVAO CITY (Finally, Duterte can now go home to Davao City).”

TikTok user triskelion8889 also posted an 11-minute video of Avanceña’s message with the overlay: “Yes, makakauwi na si Tatay Digong soon (Yes, Tatay Digong will come home soon.)”

RATING: This is misleading.

Facts

Duterte remains in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, as of writing. He faces charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his so-called “war on drugs,” which led to thousands of alleged extrajudicial killings.

A confirmation of charges hearing is scheduled for September 23, during which ICC prosecutors will present evidence to support their case, while Duterte’s defense team will offer counterarguments, evidence and witnesses to convince the Pre-Trial Chamber to dismiss the case.

If the judges decide to proceed to trial, Duterte will be unable to return to the Philippines unless the court grants him interim release — a temporary measure allowed before the conclusion of trial proceedings.

However, the ICC requires strict conditions for interim release, including guarantees that the accused will not abscond, obstruct the investigation or commit further crimes.

RELATED: Duterte's lawyers challenge ICC jurisdiction in bid to prevent trial

Duterte’s defense lawyers, Nicholas Kaufman and Dov Jacobs, have also filed a legal challenge questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines, seeking his “immediate and unconditional release.”

The Pre-Trial Chamber is expected to rule on this petition before the confirmation of charges hearing.

Why we fact-checked this

Duterte ran for Davao City mayor in the 2025 midterm elections, securing a landslide victory over his former Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles. 

As of May 15, partial and unofficial results showed Duterte with 659,557 votes, while Nograles garnered only 80,426.

The outcome has raised questions about how Duterte, who previously served seven terms as Davao City mayor before becoming president in 2016, will be proclaimed and take his oath of office amid his current detention.

According to legal expert Rodel Taton, it will be up to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to decide whether Duterte’s oath-taking will be suspended. 

Constitutional lawyer Tony La Viña added that the matter also depends on whether the ICC and the Philippine government would allow him to take his oath and assume office while in detention.

The spliced videos posted on Facebook and TikTok have garnered thousands of views and shares. One video by TikTok user triskelion8889 received over 21,400 views and 201 shares.

On Facebook, a post by user Yhong Kaliptint drew more than 23,400 reactions and 1,100 shares, while another by DJ 911 recorded 3,900 reactions and 1,500 shares.