FACT CHECK: Ad for unregistered eye drop uses deepfake of prominent Filipino doctor

Claim: Cardiologist and online health personality Dr. Willie Ong endorses an eyedrop from the brand Clear Eye Sight Care in a video ad.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: The eye drop ad featuring Ong was posted on Clear Eye Sight Care PH’s Facebook page, which has 600 followers. The reel has garnered over 260,000 views, 1,400 reactions, and 130 comments as of writing.

According to the caption, the Clear Sight eye drop is effective for individuals with diabetes and seniors who have cataracts. It also claimed that the eye drop was 100% safe.

The video shows a series of videos and pictures displaying the eye drop while Ong can be heard saying, “Kung nakakaranas ka ng panunuyo, pamumula, panlalabo, o may katarata, ito ang tamang solusyon para sa’yo dahil may rose water ito na kayang puksain ang katarata sa mata at ibalik ang linaw nito.”

(If you’re experiencing dryness, redness, blurriness, or you have a cataract in your eyes, this is the right solution for you because it contains rose water that can eliminate the cataract and restore the clarity of your vision.)

Numerous commenters showed interest in the product after recognizing Ong.

The facts: Ong does not endorse the product, and the ad uses deepfake content.

Based on Sensity’s deepfake detection assessment, the video of Ong inserted in the ad was flagged as suspicious, with a confidence rating of 98% in facial manipulation detection. 

The assessment also found that objects in the video were likely to be AI-generated, with a confidence rating of 75.5%. The algorithm identified visual artifacts and inconsistencies commonly employed by AI generators.

Meanwhile, the audio used in the video was flagged as suspicious with a 94% confidence rating based on the voice analysis, an indication of possible AI manipulation.

No product registration: The Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the regulatory body mandated to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of health products, warned the public in March 2025 against the purchase and use of Clear Sight eye drops — an unregistered product that has not been issued proper authorization. 

The FDA has advised the public against using eye drops and soothing eye relief medications found on online marketplaces that do not have proper certification, as this means that the agency cannot guarantee the quality and safety of the product. The public is advised to use the FDA’s verification portal to check if the product is registered with the agency.

Target of fake advertisements: Rappler has debunked multiple identical posts using Ong and his wife, Liza Ong, as supposed endorsers of unregistered drug products without their consent. These include the following:

• FACT CHECK: ‘Cataract cure’ ad uses AI-generated audio of Filipino doctor
• FACT CHECK: ‘Cure’ for eye conditions not approved by Doc Willie Ong, FDA
• FACT CHECK: Eyes Blue neither endorsed by Doc Willie Ong nor approved by FDA
• FACT CHECK: Manipulated video used in ‘vision cure’ ad

Public health authorities have consistently advised the public to only obtain drug products from authorized and licensed sources to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality. – Princess Leah Sagaad/Rappler.com

Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.