By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has dismissed as “nonsense” Vice President Sara Duterte’s latest accusations against his administration, with Malacañang saying these kinds of “repeated lies” can no longer be ignored.
Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said President Marcos Jr. himself described Duterte’s remarks as “nonsense” and “fake news,” after the Vice President accused the administration of becoming increasingly “diabolical” in its alleged efforts to bring her down, push Charter change, prevent the 2028 elections and cling to power.
Usec. Castro, in a Palace briefing, said the President called her to relay his thoughts about the Vice President’s remarks.
“Ang sabi po niya, ‘yan po ay nonsense, fake news, mahihilig magsinungaling. Mga buwaon. Translate natin, sinungaling.
Lahat naman po kasi ng pang-aakusa ng Bise Presidente sa Pangulo, alam naman natin saan ito patungo. Alam naman natin na wala itong basehan.”
The Palace official said President Marcos Jr.’s more direct response was prompted by Duterte’s repeated attacks against him and his administration.
“Paulit-ulit po kasi. Hindi tumitigil sa paninira kay Pangulo, hindi tumitigil sa paninira sa administrasyong ito na ang tanging ginagawa lamang ay magtrabaho.”
Asked why the President appeared to be responding more directly this time, Usec. Castro said the President could no longer simply disregard what she described as continuing accusations.
“Hindi po puwedeng ipasabale-wala na lang ang lahat ng mga kasinungalingang ito na namumutawi sa isang obstructionist, sa isang destabilizer.”
Duterte made her latest accusations while denying allegations by a former security officer of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco that he delivered suitcases containing P2 billion in cash to the Vice President, her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brother, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
