"Verafiles Inc. is an independent nonprofit media organization registered with the Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). VERA Files’ fact-checking projects started in 2016.

Information about VERA Files can be found in ""About Us"" (https://verafiles.org/about). Information about VERA Files Fact Check can be found in ""What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check"" (https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check)."

VERA Files is an SEC registered organization in the Philippines, and this is clearly made available in their website.

"1) When: VERA Files' fact-checking operation started during the 2016 presidential elections as a class activity of VERA Files cofounder and then trustee Yvonne T. Chua at the University of the Philippines where she teaches journalism. Chua’s students fact-checked statements made by candidates for national positions, applying guidelines used by fact-checkers in other parts of the world. Chua led VERA Files Fact Check until Jan. 31, 2019.

Why: An informed citizenry is vital in a democracy. In the same way that accurate information empowers people, disinformation confuses and disables people which could lead to the breakdown of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism.

VERA Files believes in accountability journalism, holding those in power accountable for their statements.

Government officials, politicians and other public figures tend to play fast and loose with the facts, in the process misleading the public. These “alternative facts” spread easily owing to the big following and wide reach of these public figures. In addition, social media platforms have increasingly been exploited to spread misinformation and disinformation by both public and nonpublic figures. As journalists, we at VERA Files are committed to seeking and telling the truth. Fact-checking is one of the means.

https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

2) VERA Files Fact Check team is composed of 8 researchers/reporters and 8 editors. Some of the reporters have posting duties in the different social media platforms. Three editors likewise have administrative duties, but only Ellen Tordesillas, as President, communicates directly with donors.

3) Aside from the production of Fact Checks/Fact Sheets/Explainers supported by the National Endowment for Democracy and a partnership agreement with Meta, VERA Files likewise conducts fact check training programs in partnership with educational institutions in the country, and has, as needed, collaborated with other fact checking groups in other countries.

It was among the first members of the collaborative project #CoronaVirusFactsAlliance, led by IFCN, to fight disinformation about COVID-19. Currently, it has partnerships with Meedan and Internews in support of its fact check training workshops for students in the country and Overseas Filipino workers.

VERA Files also receives support from the Open Society Foundation/Asia Democracy Network on projects aimed to address Disinformation in the New Normal.

VERA Files was one of the trainors in Internews’ Incubator program which trained selected media organizations in fact checking with the end goal of becoming IFCN signatory. Three of those who attended the training have become IFCN signatories.

Between September 2020 and September 2021, VERA Files hosted a misinformation-reporting fellowship in partnership with Facebook.

VERA Files is currently hosting a fellowship aimed at enhancing the media’s capability to raise public awareness of the situation in the South China Sea. This initiative is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives.

It is also working on a Media Ownership Monitoring (MOM) project with the German Embassy in the Philippines and the Global Media Registry, which builds on the previous MOM work that VERA Files did in 2016.

4) Goals for the coming year

Reflecting from our experience during the 2022 elections, VERA Files would like to do more social listening and be where the public is. Since more of our audience are using mobile phones to access our website and social media pages, we would like to improve our capability in producing vertical videos.

It plans to be more active in Tiktok, where a lot of disinformation is spread and goes unchecked.

VERA Files also started podcasting in 2022 and got favorable response from our audience. We would like learn more to improve the quality and reach of our podcast as we increase its production.

VERA Files also would like to be abreast with AI technology and other advances in information technology to be more effective in fighting disinformation.

In line with VERA Files’ belief that every one can be and should be a fact checker to effectively fight disinformation, it shares its fact-checking expertise with sectors of Philippine society vulnerable to disinformation (the masses and the youth including the more than 10 million Overseas Filipino workers). It would like to do more of that especially with overseas Filipino workers, whose only source of news about the Philippines is social media.

One of the more meaningful fact-check trainings VERA Files conducted this year was with persons who are visually-impaired. It wants to improve its skills and knowledge in teaching fact-checking to persons with disabilities."

VERA Files has a dedicated fact-checking program, and an info sheet can be found on their website: https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

This website lists their factchecking objectives and justifications, process, criteria, roster, and organizational structure. This page also shows the different activities involved in their fact-checks, while their other activities can be found in their About page: https://verafiles.org/about

Here are our fact-checks: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uqTtld5fJcLWZfSkhdnhfZB9H8rCwMAU/view 

VERA Files published 292 fact-checks over the course of 30 weeks, or almost 10 fact checks per week. Furthermore, these were all published regularly, meeting the minimum requirement of one fact-check a week.

Many of the issues fact-checked by VERA Files can be considered relevant to general welfare and public interest. Much of the content fact-checked include petty scams, domestic political news, geopolitical concerns, and medical disinformation.

"VERA Files currently receives support and funding from the embassies of Canada and Germany in the Philippines.

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives supports VERA Files' fellowship to enhance the capability of Filipino journalists to cover the situation in the South China Sea. The grant duration is from August 2023 to February 2024.

The German Embassy and the Global Media Registry is also working with VERA Files on a three-month project that monitors ownership of the media in the Philippines. This is a follow up to the media ownership monitoring (MOM) project that VERA Files carried out with Reporters Without Borders in 2016. The grant duration is from September 2023 to December 2023."

VERA Files' funding can be accessed in the links provided in 1.2, and clearly show independence from the state or politicians. Their fact-checks are also diverse in subject, content, and slant. 

"VERA Files’ nonpartisan policy is stated in “What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check” (http://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check) under the item ""How sure are we that you’re not backed by a politician or political party?""

VERA Files prohibits its trustees and staff from taking money from politicians, political parties, or partisan groups, and from having political affiliations. Neither are they allowed to take on memberships, projects, and activities that would compromise their independence and result in conflict-of-interest situations, real or perceived.

VERA Files adheres to the professional and ethical standards set by the Society of Professional Journalists (https://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp) and the Philippine Journalists Code of Ethics (https://www.philpressinstitute.net/journalists-code-of-ethics/), which has a lengthy provision on nonpartisanship of journalists during elections.

The online media outlet Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC News) gives VERA Files a “least biased” rating (https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/vera-files/)."

VERA Files has provided the links to their financial independence statements. Their own website also shows their financial independence statement.

"Fact checking the media

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Inquirer.net inaccurately reports Dela Rosa, Duterte ‘charged’ in the ICC

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-inquirer-net-inaccurately-reports-dela-rosa-duterte-charged-in-the-icc

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: SMNI anchor makes BASELESS claims that PhilStar.com editor, NUJP were part of CPP-NPA-NDF

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-smni-anchor-makes-baseless-claims-that-philstar-com-editor-nujp-were-part-of-cpp-npa-ndf

Fact checking government officials and offices

Marcos, DOF falsely claim PH leads GDP growth forecast in Asia

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-marcos-dof-falsely-claim-ph-leads-gdp-growth-forecast-in-asia

DA official seesaws on sugar import fiasco

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-da-official-seesaws-on-sugar-import-fiascoo

LTO Chief flip-flops on contingency plan for shortage of license plates

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-lto-chief-flip-flops-on-contingency-plan-for-shortage-of-license-plates

Fact checking claims vs the administration

Netizens share FAKE Sandro Marcos quote card on Maharlika Fund

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-netizens-share-fake-sandro-marcos-quote-card-on-maharlika-fund

Sara Duterte did NOT tell teachers to ‘shut up’ over DepEd laptop issue

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-sara-duterte-did-not-tell-teachers-to-shut-up-over-deped-laptop-issue

Fact checking claims about the South China Sea dispute

Ayungin Shoal is part of the Philippines’ EEZ, contrary to claim of China’s foreign ministry spokesman

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-ayungin-shoal-is-part-of-the-philippines-eez-contrary-to-claim-of-chinas-foreign-ministry-spokesman

Marcos DID NOT expel Chinese ambassador from PH

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-marcos-did-not-expel-chinese-ambassador-from-ph

Fact-checking non-government public figures

Quiboloy falsely claims Commission on Human Rights ‘doesn’t pry’ into human rights violations of the New People’s Army

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-quiboloy-falsely-claims-commission-on-human-rights-doesnt-pry-into-human-rights-violations-of-the-new-peoples-army

Doctor on TikTok claim that oral glutathione helps reverse fatty liver is unproven

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-doctor-on-tiktok-claim-that-oral-glutathione-helps-reverse-fatty-liver-is-unproven

VERA Files in July 2016 set the standards for its fact checking in its two-day editorial planning meeting. The standards were updated in 2017 after the IFCN issued the Code of Principles; they undergo thorough review every year. The team continues to adhere to the same standards, which are reiterated and underscored during VERA Files' annual planning workshop, the latest of which was held in July 2022.

VERA Files also has created templates to present its findings for multiple platforms to ensure consistency. “What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check” (https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check#:~:text=Do%20you%20follow%20any%20standards) includes the item “Do you follow any standards when fact-checking?”"

The 10 articles submitted by VERA Files demonstrate non-partisanship. They have a diverse set of subjects, topics, and claim formats factchecked. They also have a standard format that makes the content easily digestible.

"https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

See, in particular, ""Do you follow any standards when fact-checking?"" and ""How do you select claims to fact-check?"""

VERA Files' factcheck methodology is publicly available, transparent, non-partisan, and thoughtfully devised to ensure utmost accuracy and fairness.

I sampled 7 fact-checks published from March 01 to September 12, 2023 by selecting a random article published between the 10th and 15th day of each month. These are linked below.

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-salcedas-remark-that-philippines-has-one-of-the-lowest-inflation-rates-in-the-world-lacks-context

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-us-coast-guard-did-not-sink-chinese-ships-in-west-ph-sea

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-smni-anchor-makes-baseless-claims-that-philstar-com-editor-nujp-were-part-of-cpp-npa-ndf

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-u-s-not-rebuilding-naval-base-in-subic-bay

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-top-concerns-of-military-other-uniformed-personnel-on-the-marcos-admins-pension-reform-proposal

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-the-marcos-administrations-12-mega-bridges

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-video-on-marcos-asean-leadership-misleads

VERA Files is transparent about where and when they got the fact-checked content as well as the sources they used to correct it. Where applicable, hyperlinks are provided to give greater context. The fact-checks are impartial and cross-referenced to ensure quality.

VERA Files shows fairness and non-partisanship in their corrections and fact-checks over the covered time period. The language used is fair and accessible, and the multimedia format uses reasonable images, sounds, and contextualized videos if any.

"https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

See, in particular, ""How sure are we that you're not backed by a politician or political party?"""

VERA Files' policy on non-partisanship is accessible in their website, and can be verified through the quality and content of the fact-checks itself and the methodology flowchart found in https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check.

The fact-checks examined contain plenty of hyperlinks that enable transparency in correction and easier process-tracing for audiences. A reference list at the end also shows transparency and commitment to replicability.

VERA Files provides their own data along with contextualizing information from secondary sources in their fact-checks. Their own data are presented in multimedia formats for ease of access and understanding.

VERA Files uses many sources listed in their reference list for each fact-check. When not applicable, VERA Files uses the links or direct quotes from reputable sources that directly correct and contradict the disinformation being fact-checked.

Where applicable, VERA Files identifies the affiliations and dispositions of the sources they use to fact-check, contextualizing the information and making the bigger picture more legible for the reader.

"Verafiles Inc. is an independent media nonprofit organization registered with the Philippines' Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). It has been undertaking the fact-checking initiative ""VERA Files Fact Check"" since 2016. Information about VERA Files can be found in ""About Us"" (http://verafiles.org/about). Information about VERA Files Fact Check can be found in ""What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check"" (http://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check).

Please see attached SEC Registration and General Information Sheet.

Securities and Exchange Commission registration: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aKlpEoRWOJ37tuT5NMm2uHmie4iLOiLE/view?usp=sharing 

General Information Sheet 2023: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-8_iocvEPwgz8LaJNrUUG5cEnFIBuC4B/view?usp=sharing

VERA Files makes public and accessible on their website its statements on independence and affiliations.

"https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

See, in particular, ""Who funds VERA Files Fact Check?""

https://verafiles.org/about

Please see attached Financial Statement: 

FS: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xQ6cSlg2ol1w2b1N5DceOBzyn0twuX_n/view

The pertinent information can be found in their About page, clearly showing independence. This can be verified with the diverse content they cover.

"https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

See, in particular, ""What does your organizational structure look like?"""

Their organizational structure and editorial chain of command can be clearly found in their website.

"The names of the members of the fact-check teams linked to their LinkedIn profile can be found here:

https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check"

VERA Files has individual profile pages for most of their staff, including their board members.

"A Contact Us section is at the bottom of VERA Files' website:

https://verafiles.org/

VERA Files also provides links to its social media pages that readers can go to:

https://verafiles.org/about

VERA Files also encourage readers to send leads or claims it can fact-check, as well as to call its attention to a mistake in any one of its articles:

https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

See, in particular, “Do you accept leads or contributions for your fact-checking initiative?” and “What if the fact-check team makes a mistake?”"

VERA Files has contact details in their websites, has social media links and buttons for each page, and has a tip line for readers to contribute.

"VERA Files provides in detail its fact-checking process in “What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check” (http://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check) under the question, “How do you fact-check?” An infographic explains the methodology, which is called the “VERA Files Fact Checking Process.”

The methodology is also explained in the online publication, “VERAfied: A DIY guide to fact checking and fighting misinformation and disinformation” (https://verafiles.org/articles/verafied-diy-guide-fact-checking-and-fighting-misinformation). It is an updated version of the DIY guide VERA Files published online and in print in 2018, “VERAfied: A DIY guide to fact checking and fighting fake news”.

VERA Files also explains what it does as a third-party fact checker for Facebook in “VERA FILES FACT SHEET: Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program in PH explained” (http://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-facebooks-third-party-fact-checking-pr)

Since April 2018, a link to “VERAfied: A DIY guide to fact checking and fighting fake news” is provided at the end of every article."

VERA Files' methodology is readily accessible and can be found in this link: https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check as well as the links they provided.

I reviewed the last listed fact-check per month, listed below:

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-marcos-did-not-appoint-marcoleta-as-agriculture-secretary

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-what-health-experts-know-so-far-about-arcturus-omicron-subvariant

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-fb-reel-shows-impact-of-different-typhoons-not-mawar-in-guam

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-video-title-that-says-duterte-criticized-marcos-misleading

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-hontiveros-did-not-call-marcos-childish

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-marcoleta-not-appointed-as-energy-chief

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-actor-gardo-versoza-is-not-promoting-barley-powder

VERA Files not only identifies what is the wrong information and what the correction is, but also contextualizes the wrong information, communicating why the correction is important.

The fact-checks are transparent and effective in their selection and use of sources that support their correction and disprove the wrong information.

VERA Files' stringent methodology and multimedia presentations convincingly settle the dispute in the issue identified. The correction is consistently direct and sober, and always comes from reliable sources that audiences themselves can follow and verify.

VERA Files' fact-checks allow for publishing even without verifying from the claimants, since the contents being corrected are shown alongside the correction. Where applicable, the correction comes directly from the individuals the contents are targeting. No context is missed.

"The team religiously monitors VERA Files' social media pages, where readers regularly send in fact check requests. On VERA Files’ Facebook Messenger, netizens receive a prompt to fill up this Google Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFnkZj0YT5QaONCQ98DsVFF_DyX6llynO1e-6WvQXzSL_aRw/viewform

Each request is carefully evaluated by an assigned member of the fact-check team.

If the claim is fact-checkable, it will be assigned to a member of the fact check team for research. Once the fact check is done, VERA Files sends the link of the published version to the reader who initially asked the claim to be checked.

For already-debunked claims, VERA Files sends the reader the link to the corresponding Fact Check article.

For content that turns out to be true based on a quick cursory Search, or is not eligible for fact-checking, VERA Files provides a quick explanation to the reader with a citation of its sources.

VERA Files also provides an email address (newsroom@verafiles.org) where readers can send leads and Fact Check pitches. See ""Does VERA Files accept fact-check requests?"" (https://verafiles.org/articles/does-vera-files-accept-fact-check-requests) and ""What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check,"" in particular, “Do you accept leads or contributions for your fact-checking initiative?” (https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check).

In November 2021, VERA Files introduced VERA, the truth bot, a misinformation tip line on Viber (https://chats.viber.com/verafiles). VERA Files encourages Viber users to send photos, videos, links and other tips via this tip line, in an effort to reach out to more audiences, especially those on dark social such as private messaging applications.

VERA Files has added a blurb at the end of all its Fact Check articles encouraging readers to send VERA Files Fact Check any dubious claims that they encounter online.

Blurb: Have you seen any dubious claims, photos, memes, or online posts that you want us to verify? Fill out this reader request form or send it to ‘VERA, the truth bot’ on Viber.

Reader Request Form: https://forms.gle/KpgDmxM3YFGGiJL48"

VERA Files has multiple avenues for user feedback and communication, including a tip line that urges users to actively monitor their own information ecosystems. Their protocols for filtering fact-checkable content are also communicated to users who individually reach out.

"The correction policy can be found in the item “What if the fact-check team makes a mistake?” in “What you want to know about VERA Files Fact Check” (https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check) as well as in “About Us” (https://verafiles.org/about).

Publishers who get a fact-check rating from VERA Files and receive a notification from Meta under the third-party fact-checking program can appeal to VERA Files. The information is provided in the item “How does one fact-check the fact checkers?” in “VERA FILES FACT SHEET: Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program in PH explained” (https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-facebooks-third-party-fact-checking-pr). Some publishers may also file an appeal within the Facebook mobile app."

VERA Files has a correction policy accessible on their website.

VERA Files clearly communicates what they will do in case there is a need for a correction. This can be seen in the page https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

"What if the fact-check team makes a mistake?

Do call our attention right away by emailing us at appeals@verafiles.org. Please send us a link to the Fact Check article in question with a short explanation of what you believe needs to be corrected.

We aim to reply to correction appeals within 24 hours upon notification. We correct substantive errors in our reports flagged both by readers, as well as the VERA Files fact check team itself post-publication. We insert corrections in the original text with an accompanying editor’s note.

If you believe VERA Files is in violation of the IFCN Code of Principles and wish to contact IFCN directly, you can visit the link https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy."

"The VERA Files newsroom promptly makes corrections to its fact checks when it catches its own mistakes and/or if a reader or a source points out an error in the published story.

In March 2023, a reader replied to VERA Files' tweet of this fact-check, saying: ""He [President Marcos] wasn't a senator in 2021 anymore, his last term was from 2010 to 2016. I believe it's 2011 and not 2021. Please double-check. Thank you."" The editorial team immediately updated the story on the website with an editor's note thanking the reader who caught the error.

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-padilla-echoes-marcos-guevarra-statements-against-icc-that-lack-context

In July 2023, a reader reached out to VERA Files via Facebook Messenger to inform us that we had misspelled the name of a volcano in Iceland. The correction was made shortly after, and we updated our story to include a note about the correction. We also got back to the reader and thanked them for pointing out the error and sent them a link to the updated fact check.

Link: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-check-viral-video-of-lava-flow-from-iceland-volcano-not-mayon

"

Where applicable, articles have an Updated notice at the top of the page. Any corrections are also clearly communicated in an editor's note at the end of the article.

"VERA Files informs users that if they believe VERA Files is in violation of the IFCN Code of Principles and wish to contact IFCN directly they can visit https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy in each of the following links:

https://verafiles.org/about

https://verafiles.org/articles/what-you-want-know-about-vera-files-fact-check

https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-facebooks-third-party-fact-checking-pr

https://verafiles.org/specials/fact-check

https://verafiles.org/specials/fact-check-filipino"

VERA Files' affiliation with IFCN, as well as IFCN's contact details should users feel that VERA Files is violating the IFCN principles, is communicated and can be easily seen in the link in 6.2.

"VERA Files is not affiliated with any media company."

VERA Files is transparent about how it conducts corrections. This can be seen in the link in 6.2. Any corrections are also noted in the articles themselves. Users are also encouraged to contact the VERA Files team should they see any necessary corrections to any articles published.