FACT CHECK: Alex Eala quote card linking green outfit to VP Sara is fake
Claim: A quote card shows Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala denying that she wore a green outfit during the World Tennis Association (WTA) 500 Mudabala DC Open to show support for Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: As of writing, the Facebook post has 923 reactions, 133 comments, and 81 shares.
The quote card, which appears similar to those released by GMA News, shows Eala supposedly saying, “I never wore a green outfit to support VP Sara; that’s a big no for me.”
Rappler found several social media posts bearing the same claim.
The quote card circulated amid speculation among some social media users that Eala’s green outfit was a show of support for Duterte, who is currently facing an impeachment trial.
The facts: The quote card is fake. There are no news reports or video recordings from legitimate and credible sources reporting the supposed statement by Eala.
On August 3, GMA News debunked the quote card and warned the public, saying, “May kumakalat na fake post na may logo at template na kahawig ng GMA News.”
“Hindi totoo ang quote ni Alex Eala na nakalagay sa post,” the post added.
(There is a fake post circulating online with a logo and template resembling GMA News. The quote by Alex Eala that was included in the post is not true.)
Eala also told journalist Dyan Castillejo that she chose the green outfit herself, but she did not mention any political meaning to it, as reported by PressOne.PH.
Alex Eala at WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open: The false posts circulated amid the Filipino tennis star’s historic Washington Open campaign, which saw her march to the Mubadala finals after defeating the four-time grand champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in semis, straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. (READ: Alex Eala on the cusp of Washington Open title after Naomi Osaka sweep)
In the finals, Eala faced world No. 3 Jessica Pegula and dominated the resumption of the finals game after it was halted by a lengthy rain delay and rescheduled. On Monday, August 3 (Tuesday, August 4, Manila time), the Filipina secured her first-ever WTA crown after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 win.
Her maiden WTA Tour crown has propelled Eala to the world top 20 for the first time in her career, climbing to No. 20 in the updated WTA rankings released on August 4.
Fact-check: With her ongoing successes in her tennis career, Eala has been a favorite target of disinformation. Rappler has debunked several false claims about her:
- FACT CHECK: Photo of Alex Eala statue in QC is AI-generated
- FACT CHECK: Hontiveros did not seek Alex Eala endorsement for LGBT advocacy
- FACT CHECK: Marcos did not give tennis star Alex Eala $100,000 bonus
– Owenh Toledo/Rappler.com
Owenh Toledo is a graduate of Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program. This fact check was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor. Learn more about Rappler’s fact-checking mentorship program here.
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