Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste drew attention online after posting a Facebook statement accusing Secretary Ralph Recto and Cong. Edwin Gardiola allegedly offered him a partnership while using a photo that several users claimed appeared to be AI-generated or digitally altered.
In his post, Leviste wrote: “Inalok ako nina Secretary Ralph Recto at Cong. Edwin Gardiola na maging partner nila. Ito ang picture ng meeting kung saan hiningi nila ang tulong ko para sa kampanya nina Vilma at Lucky. (‘VL’ ang handsign ng ViLucky) Hihiling ako sa Kongreso ng oras upang ilahad ang modus nila, para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan.”
The post included a photo showing several individuals seated around a dining table. However, the image immediately drew scrutiny from Facebook users who pointed out apparent visual inconsistencies, including distorted hands, unnatural facial details, and questionable reflections on the table.
One commenter posted a zoomed-in screenshot of the image and wrote, “Ok na sana e,” while another user commented that the actual person in the photo appeared to be smiling, but the reflection on the table looked different. “Yung actual nakangiti pero yung reflection naka-nganga ahhahaha horror yarn,” the comment read.
Other users directly questioned the authenticity of the image. “Parang AI lang ang picture,” one Facebook user commented. Another said, “Masakit talaga sa mata kase AI lang ang picture.” A separate commenter also wrote, “In case you’re not aware po, AI enhanced po ito.”
The post’s edit history also showed that Leviste revised the caption. Based on the screenshot, the earlier version posted at around 8:44 p.m. stated that the photo was from the alleged meeting where his help was supposedly sought for the campaign of Vilma and Lucky. A later version at around 9:30 p.m. added the explanation: “(‘VL’ ang handsign ng ViLucky).”
As of posting, the authenticity of the photo has not been independently verified.
The incident has raised concerns over the use of AI-generated or digitally altered images in political posts, especially when such visuals are presented as proof of alleged meetings or political arrangements.