Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In the age of disinformation, where lies spread faster than the truth and public opinion is shaped by memes rather than verified facts, it is more urgent than ever to set the record straight.
Let’s be clear from the start: there was no drug overdose. There was no white powder scattered across the room. And there was absolutely no involvement from First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
Yet that hasn’t stopped a malicious smear campaign, largely fueled by elements aligned with the notorious Duterte Diehard Supporters (DDS), from manipulating a man’s tragic death to push a political agenda. This orchestrated effort to distort the truth and drag innocent names through the mud is as cruel as it is calculated.
The Truth According to Official Records
On March 8, 2025, Paolo Tantoco — a member of one of the Philippines’ most prominent families — tragically passed away in Los Angeles, California. The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) promptly conducted an investigation. The original and official police report from the BHPD has since been released, and here’s what it tells us:
Liza Araneta Marcos was never listed, mentioned, or implicated in the report.
There is no mention of any white powder, no cocaine scattered on floors or tables.
No statement refers to “suspected overdose.”
This police report is not just a summary; it is a binding legal document. Any attempt to alter or fabricate its contents constitutes a crime — and that’s exactly what the purveyors of fake news are doing.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office released the official cause of death as "accidental," with “cocaine effects” noted as the primary medical contributor. This is a far cry from what was irresponsibly and maliciously reported by certain corners of social media. Medical professionals avoid terms like “overdose” unless the evidence is unequivocal and overwhelming. And even then, the context matters: presence of a substance does not automatically equate to abuse or criminality.
Let’s put it simply: Accidental death due to the effects of a substance is not the same as an overdose.
The Anatomy of a Lie
Now let’s look at the fake report — a fabricated document that has been deliberately circulated online by individuals associated with the DDS machinery, known for its relentless use of propaganda and disinformation:
The forged report falsely adds the names Dinah Arroyo Tantoco, Liza Araneta Marcos, and Alexa Miro as having been summoned for questioning.
It claims there was “white powder” suspected to be cocaine found at the scene.
It states that a drug overdose was initially suspected.
These additions are glaringly absent from the original BHPD report. Their sudden appearance in viral posts is nothing but evidence of digital forgery — a poor and desperate attempt to inject scandal into a private tragedy.
Weaponizing Grief for Politics
The most horrifying aspect of this campaign is the callous exploitation of a family’s grief to score political points.
There is no empathy. No regard for truth. No shame.
Instead, we see disinformation peddlers digging up a tragedy, inserting false names and salacious details, then distributing it with glee to manufacture controversy. Dragging the name of the First Lady — a figure already subjected to relentless scrutiny — is simply a means to tarnish the Marcos name in an election season where political mudslinging is at an all-time high.
But this is not journalism. This is digital terrorism.
Why This Matters for All Filipinos
If we allow lies like this to go unchallenged, we pave the way for a society where truth is meaningless — where facts are optional, and narratives are bought, sold, and edited in Photoshop.
We must stand our ground.
Fact-check. Don’t share before you verify.
Hold propagandists accountable. Report and call out those who knowingly circulate fake reports.
Protect the dignity of the dead. Paolo Tantoco deserves better than to be used as a pawn.
Demand better from our online spaces. Truth is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for democracy.
Final Word
This is not just a defense of Liza Marcos. This is a defense of journalistic integrity, legal truth, and human decency.
To those weaponizing Paolo Tantoco’s death — shame on you. The world is watching. The truth is now public.
And no amount of doctored PDFs or troll-fueled lies can bury it.
Let this be a line in the sand: We will not allow grief to be weaponized, nor truth to be erased.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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