Malacañang on Monday strongly condemned what it described as baseless and unsubstantiated accusations dished by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
This, as the second-highest government official made fresh remarks during her visit at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Sept. 5 amid the concurrent backdrop of an ongoing impeachment inquiry and a parallel investigation conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) into her “grave threats” case.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that Duterte’s security woes lack merit, as both Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and NBI Director Melvin Matibag said that they have not monitored any threats against the Vice President.
Usec. Castro told the media and reassured the public, “Muli, gusto nating ipaunawa sa lahat na ang PNP, ang kapulisan, at ang mga nagbibigay ng proteksyon sa ating mga kababayan ay tuloy tuloy po ang pagbibigay ng mga aksyon para kayo po ay manatiling secured at safe at protected.”
Apart from verbally expressing her distrust in the local courts and the justice system, the Vice President further stoked flames by releasing a statement on Monday wherein she alleged that the President has a planned plot against her, as well as claimed that the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) visit to her family home can be considered as a form of “child abuse.”
Castro said that contrary to Duterte’s utterances, President Marcos Jr. continues to prioritize youth welfare through several government programs under his leadership.
“Ang Pangulo po ay nagpoprotekta sa ating mga kabataan, at hindi lamang siya isang lider, kundi siya ay isang ama ng buong Pilipinas lalong lalo na ng mga kabataan.”
Meanwhile, when asked whether these remarks can be considered as unbecoming for a Bar member, Usec. Castro deferred the question to the Supreme Court, noting the latter’s authority to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the matter.
She concluded her remarks by stressing that the Vice President did not receive any form of special treatment during her Saturday court appearance.
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