By Brian Campued
“Hindi lang ito simpleng paninira, hindi ito simpleng pagbibigay at pagkakalat ng fake news—paghahasik ito ng poot.”
Malacañang on Wednesday described Sen. Imee Marcos’ latest remarks against the administration of his brother, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as a deliberate attempt not only to spread fake news but also to sow hatred.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro hit back at the verbal tirades made by Sen. Marcos during a rally organized by Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members near the EDSA People Power Monument on Tuesday.
“Namutawi kay Senator Imee Marcos ang mga salitang magpapaigting ng galit sa gobyerno—ang paninira sa Pangulo at sa gobyernong ito. Nakakaawa ang mga obstructionists na tulad ng isang senadora, nagri-rely, gumagamit ng fake news para makapanira lamang,” Castro said.
She also questioned Marcos’ criticism, noting that the senator was “silent” when former President Rodrigo Duterte “admitted to using illegal drugs” and when former representative Rolando Andaya raised allegations of ghost projects during the Duterte administration.
“Hindi natin alam kung si Senator Imee ay bulag, nagbubulag-bulagan o talagang pinipikit lamang niya ang mata niya sa katotohanan para magamit niya sa paninira sa gobyernong ito,” Castro said.
While President Marcos Jr. has been informed about his sister’s remarks, Castro stressed that it is up to proper authorities to determine whether an investigation is needed to hold the senator accountable for spreading disinformation.
“Hindi mag-uutos ang Pangulo na imbestigahan ang kaniyang kapatid, nasa authority na iyan kung kinakailangang imbestigahan si Senator Imee Marcos. Hindi po tayo mag-uutos, obligasyon po nilang mag-imbestiga,” Castro said.
In her speech during Tuesday night’s rally, Sen. Marcos called the administration a “sleeping government” and “drunk on power” and that it is neglecting the plight of ordinary Filipinos, particularly farmers and fisherfolk.
Protesters continue to gather along EDSA on Wednesday after the Quezon City government granted a permit for the July 1 rally along White Plains Avenue from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., subject to several conditions, including compliance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, remaining within the approved venue and schedule, avoiding disruption of police operations, preventing total road closures, and maintaining cleanliness.
Castro urged the INC to be careful not to be used in alleged destabilization efforts against the Marcos Jr. administration.
This, as reports circulated on social media about an alleged plan to raid military camps and the Palace.
Castro acknowledged that ouster plots are nothing new for the President, but assured that the government is taking the circulating reports seriously and that it is prepared for such an event.
“Hindi namin paniniwalaan na miyembro ng INC ang siyang gagawa nito dahil sabi nga natin, ginagalang natin ang integridad, ang liderato ng INC. Hindi naman siguro ang purpose ng kanilang protesta ay mag-destabilize,” she said.
“Ang pakiusap po natin sa liderato ng INC, maging maingat din po sila at baka sila ay magamit ng ibang mga tao na ang naisin ay patalsikin ang Pangulo dahil alam natin ang INC ay hindi iyan ang hihimok sa taumbayan,” she added. (with report from Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
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