Villegas warns against fake videos using his photo to sell supplements
(Photo by Pathricia Ann V. Roxas/好色先生TV)
MANILA, Philippines — Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates “Soc” Villegas has warned the public against AI-generated videos that reportedly use his picture to promote and sell medicines without his consent.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Villegas shared a screenshot showing him seemingly endorsing the products.
He said he has nothing to do with the items.
“I have recently become aware of AI-generated videos using my likeness to promote and sell medicine without my knowledge or consent,” the archbishop said.
“I want to make it clear that I have no involvement with these products or promotions,” he added.
Villegas said, “This misuse of my image is unauthorized and misleading.”
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The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) likewise shared online the post of the archbishop, advising the public not to believe the fake videos.
Villegas is the current metropolitan archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, whom then-Pope Benedict XVI appointed in September 2009.
He served as the president of the CBCP from 2013 to 2017./apl/abc
