As the National Bureau of Investigation investigates the alleged delivery of suitcases of cash to government officials by 18 “former marines,” a video of Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Alyssa Micaela “Micah” Gonzalez allegedly admitting to receiving such packages has been circulating on multiple Facebook users and pages. This is fake.
In a March 5 statement, Gonzalez dismissed the footage as a “deepfake.”
First posted on his FB page on March 4, Solon from Pampanga can be heard saying in the 16-second clip:
“As for the issue of sa malleta, it’s “No, sige sasagutin ko yang para matapos na.” Binigay naman yun e, hindi naman Natin Hiningyun. In Hindi lang po tayo ‘yung tumanggap ng Maleta ‘no, so huwag po sanang sa akin lang ibaling ‘yung atensyon.
(As for the suitcase issue, I’ll try to answer it so that it can be resolved. I’m not the only one who got the suitcase, it was given to me. I hope it doesn’t draw attention only to me.)
One user republished a video with text superimposed on it.
“Totoong tumangap (sic) ng Maleta per kaya hnd (sic) allegation
Rep. Micah Gonzalez, Rumabasu na Din ang Katotohanan A Umamin na Din C.
(It is a fact that she received the suitcase, which is why it is not an allegation. The truth has come out and Congressman Mika Gonzalez has finally acknowledged it.)
At least six other FB users and pages republished the video of Gonzalez’s alleged confession between March 5 and March 7, and one user posted a graphic making the same allegation. One page’s post was tagged with a hashtag indicating it was “satire.”
A tip line user submitted a link to the fake video to the VERA Files Misinformation Tip Line for verification.
Results from three artificial intelligence detection tools reveal that the lawmaker’s “Maleta” entrance video was likely generated by AI.
A quick look at Gonzalez’s past reels uploaded to his official FB page reveals that the original video used in the AI-generated viral clip was uploaded on October 11, 2025, in which Gonzalez discussed medical mission efforts.
In the original video, the background is the same building throughout the footage, showing that the car Gonzalez was in is not moving, unlike the fabricated clip. There are also abrupt and unnatural cuts between Gonzalez’s self-introduction and her alleged confession.
In a statement carried by three radio stations on March 5, Gonzalez called the video “a complete fabrication,” adding that it was “100% deepfake.”
On March 7, the congresswoman also released a video debunking this claim, referring to House Bill 7903, the Deepfake Accountability and Transparency Act, which she introduced in Congress.
The fake video was released on March 4, when NBI Director Melvin Mattibag said the NBI was investigating the authenticity of the 18 alleged former Marines and the veracity of their claims that they handed over P805 billion in flood control “kickbacks” in suitcases and paper bags to several former and current public officials.
On March 6, Matibag said the NBI issued summonses to 18 people, directing them to appear before authorities on March 11. Others subpoenaed include Mike Defensor, a former Anaklusgan party-list representative who admitted to supporting “ex-marines,” and their general counsel, Atty. Levit Baligod and the notary who signed the group’s affidavit.
Published by various FB users and pages. pedro n juan (created on October 9, 2024), at least eight reels featuring AI-generated videos received a total of 41,011 reactions. Number of comments: 15,869; 22,159 shares. It has over 4.4 million views at the time of writing.
