FACT CHECK: No gov’t order to seize homes without solar panel permits

A false claim circulating on social media alleges that the Philippine government will seize homes with unpermitted solar panel installations. The claim is based on a video purportedly showing a government official announcing this new policy. However, analysis of the video's audio using Google's SynthID technology revealed it contains an AI-generated watermark, indicating the audio was either generated or altered using AI tools. Other AI detection tools also flagged the clip as highly likely to be AI-generated. In the viral video, a person identified as Palace Press Officer Claire Castro is heard saying, “If your house is found to have solar panels without permits, then your house will be taken by the government. This will be the rule for all citizens starting now.” However, no such statement or policy has been announced by the government through official channels, nor has it been reported by any credible media outlets. Transcripts of Malacañang press briefings in July 2026 do not contain this statement. Regulation of solar panels has been a subject of public discussion in the Philippines in recent months. Calls for stricter guidelines on solar panel installations have emerged, drawing criticism and backlash online, particularly amid rising power rates. This false claim appears to exploit existing public concerns regarding solar panel regulations. Claire Castro has been a frequent target of disinformation campaigns, with Rappler having debunked several false claims involving her in the past. Source: Rappler Philippines