Viral Post Falsely Claims Atty. Elle Woods Opposes ICC Arrest
ATTY. ELLE WOODS – A netizen raised concerns over a viral Facebook post featuring a fictional character from Legally Blonde, which was falsely attributed with criticizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) for arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte. The post claimed that the arrest was “political persecution” and a violation of Philippine sovereignty, citing the country’s 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
The quote card allegedly stated: “The ICC just made a grave mistake. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, meaning this arrest is illegal-a blatant violation of Philippine’s sovereignty and the rule of law.” It further declared: “This isn’t justice; it’s political persecution. Free Duterte now-or face the consequences.”
Jerwin Riparip Soriano, a concerned netizen, pointed out that Elle Woods is not a real lawyer but a fictional character played by Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde, a film based on Amanda Brown’s novel. What troubled him most was the number of people in the comments who believed the statement was genuine.
“I came across this viral post falsely claiming that “Atty. Elle Woods” made a statement about the ICC and the Philippines. For those who don’t know, Elle Woods is a fictional character from the movie Legally Blonde—not a real lawyer,” he explained.
He further warned, “What’s even more alarming is how many people in the comments are believing and thanking her as if she exists in real life. This is a clear example of how misinformation spreads online, especially when it aligns with certain political narratives.” Soriano urged social media users to be more critical, stating, “Let’s be responsible with what we consume and share! Ang lala.”
His reaction sparked mixed responses from netizens. Some were frustrated by how easily misinformation spreads, while others found the situation humorous yet concerning, especially for older individuals who are more vulnerable to fake news.
In an interview, Soriano, who now lives in Australia, emphasized the rapid spread of misinformation in the Philippines. He stressed the importance of fact-checking, warning that fake news manipulates public opinion and creates division. “For me po, a few seconds of fact-checking can make a huge difference. Don’t just believe—think, verify, and don’t let yourself be fooled,” he advised.