Looks like it’s not just fake news that people have to be wary of, but also of a bogus President Rodrigo Duterte.

Or, was it just a stunt to generate buzz about the President’s special assistant, whom Mr. Duterte is encouraging to run for senator?

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An impersonator of Mr. Duterte, who spoke over radio station dzRH, must have sounded just like the real thing because Malacañang sent reporters the transcript of the interview on Monday and attributed his words to the President.

The heading of the transcript read: Interview with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte by Deo Macalma/Rica Herra/Isyu/dzRH.

The Palace’s transcription section issued an erratum and an apology two hours later. It said the transcript should have been titled “Interview with Impersonator of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.”

But before the correction was issued, news websites had posted reports quoting Mr. Duterte based on the transcript.

The bogus President had talked about his support for his special assistant, Christopher “Bong” Go, who is being groomed for a Senate seat.

President Lodi

The impersonator was dzRH Legazpi reporter Jun Alegre, nicknamed “President Lodi.”

Alegre has been mimicking the President on Macalma’s time slot for three months, according to a statement from the dzRH management.

On Monday, Alegre was once again made to impersonate Mr. Duterte while Go was a studio guest at dzRH.

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Speaking glowingly of Go

In the interview, the fake President spoke glowingly of Go, saying that his heart is with the people and that he is a man of principle and integrity.

He also described Go as someone who did things without fanfare, which goes to show that he is sincere in doing his duty.

But while the President interviewed was a fake, Mr. Duterte would indeed be backing his special assistant if he would run for senator.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said last week that Mr. Duterte had promised to support Go “to the hilt” should he run in the next elections.

In the same dzRH interview, however, Go maintained that he was not thinking of politics at this time.

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