CHIEF JUSTICE OR CHIEF FABULIST?

How a Fake Quote Turned the Supreme Court into a Duterte Bodyguard

By Louis “Barok” C. Biraogo — November 12, 2025

1. THE LIE THAT ROARED: “Supreme Court to ICC: Not in My House!”

(Spoiler: The Supreme Court never said that.)

In a performance worthy of a Telenovela del Año, a viral Filipino-language bombshell—allegedly from Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo—declared that no ICC arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa could be enforced without the High Tribunal’s holy seal of approval. Sovereignty! Primacy! Respect!
The quote was so stirring, it could’ve run for mayor.

Then, on Sunday, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting delivered the mic drop:

“The Chief Justice did not say that. The posts are false.”

This wasn’t a misquote. This was political arson—a deliberate torching of judicial credibility to shield a drug war architect. And the arsonists? Already named and shamed.

**Share first, fact-check never: welcome to the House of Cards, where the only color left is betrayal.**

2. ANATOMY OF A HOAX: How to Fake a Chief Justice in 3 Easy Steps

IngredientThe RecipeWhy It WorkedThe Hook Pseudo-legal jargon: “first right to prosecute,” “strong law,” “respect for our Supreme Court” Sounds like a law school exam answer—plausible to the untrained eyeThe VectorTeacher Celo, Readers Portal, MD TV Channel, Better Philippines News Pages with credibility as solid as a Jollibee napkin in the rainThe Ecosystem Ombudsman drops unverified warrant claim → DOJ says “still verifying” → ICC stays silent Chaos = fertilizer. Lies grow where facts fear to tread.

These aren’t journalists. They’re engagement farmers, harvesting outrage like rice in Nueva Ecija. And the crop this season? Nationalist fury, extra crispy.

3. THE PUPPETEERS: Who Lit the Match?

Xxxxxxxxxxx

This wasn’t random. This was strategy—a false flag operation to turn the Supreme Court into a Duterte bodyguard cosplay.

4. THE POISONED HARVEST: What Dies When Lies Go Viral

Trust in the Supreme Court: Now just another voice in the Facebook echo chamber.
Justice for Drug War Victims: Delayed, denied, and drowned in disinformation.
The Philippines on the World Stage: A nation where the Chief Justice is a meme template.

Congratulations. We now export institutional arson alongside mangoes.

5. A CALL TO ARMS (WITH MAXIMUM SCORN)

To the Public:

Stop trusting “Teacher Celo” more than the Supreme Court’s actual spokesperson.
Yes, fact-checking is hard. So is living in a country run by bots.

To Facebook, X, and YouTube:
Your “content moderation” is a drunk security guard at a bank heist.
These pages aren’t “alternative media.” They’re digital counterfeiters.
Label them. Throttle them. Delete them.
Or keep pretending “free speech” includes impersonating the Chief Justice.

To the Government:
Stop “verifying” and start prosecuting.
The DOJ’s endless fact-checking is a green light for liars.
Issue one clear statement.
Arrest the fabricators.
And tell the Ombudsman: No more gossip with international warrants.

FINAL VERDICT

This hoax wasn’t a mistake.
It was a blueprint.
And unless we burn the blueprint,
the next lie won’t just impersonate the Chief Justice—
it’ll impersonate democracy itself.