MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – An Adobo Chronicles investigative team has uncovered an M.O. (Modus Operandi) or S.O.P. (Standard Operating Procedure) now in place at Rappler’s editorial offices. And it’s automated!

The procedure went into effect after former Senator Bongbong Marcos filed his certificate of candidacy for President in the Philippines’ 2022 Presidential elections.

Fact checkers, proofreaders, copy editors and the executive editor at Rappler have installed an electronic editing tool on their computers — much like a spell checker — where any report containing the name of Marcos will automatically be inserted with these descriptives:

-Dictator’s son

-“Jr.” after Marcos’ name

On the other hand, stories about Vice President Leni Robredo will automatically add these descriptives:

-Ina ng Bayan

-Leader of the Opposition

The automated editing tool will shield Rappler reporters, editors and CEO Maria Ressa from any potential cybel libel charges, since complainants cannot file cases against a machine or computer program.

Brilliant!