Fact check: Viral photo of Luistro digitally altered to exaggerate facial blemishes
A viral photo of Philippine Representative Gerville Luistro was proven to be digitally altered to exaggerate her facial blemishes. The image was circulated by social media accounts supporting Vice President Sara Duterte amid an ongoing impeachment trial.
Why it matters
This incident illustrates the use of AI-generated or manipulated imagery to harass public officials and influence political discourse.
MANILA, Philippines - A viral photo of Rep. Gerville Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District) was digitally altered to make blemishes on her face appear more pronounced as severe acne.
Several Facebook accounts circulated the manipulated image while mocking Luistro's appearance. Luistro leads the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Facebook page "POV: ILoy Bugris Unofficial," which regularly posts content supportive of Duterte, shared the edited image on September 7 with the caption:
San kaba nagpapa facial Ante? Nang maiwasan????
Another account, Ching Villafuerte, posted the same image on Sept. 6 and wrote in part:
Ganun talaga pag wala kanang peace of mind! Or SADYANG MADUMI LANG TALAGA ANG IYONG DUGO ????????????????????
The image circulating on Facebook was digitally altered. The viral image was taken from a video interview first posted by Facebook page "EWAN TV" on Aug. 24, 2026 .
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