By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro shared progress on some of the government’s key programs, as well as responded to media queries on certain issues that resonate with the masses at the Palace press briefing held this Thursday, July 3.
Apart from reiterating President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to concerned agencies vis-à-vis rainy season, Castro has also issued a statement on the heels of another update on the ‘missing sabungeros.’
In a media interview of “Alyas Totoy” on Wednesday, July 2, the whistleblower has dropped names of some popular personalities that are allegedly involved in the high profile case.
Castro said, referencing the President’s earlier directive on the matter: “Ito naman po ay trabaho po ng Department of Justice (DOJ) at ng ibang law enforcement agencies po natin. Sinuman, anumang katayuan sa buhay, kung sila man ay personalidad na [kilala], wala pong sisinuhin ang Pangulo at ang administrasyon.”
She added, “Kung may dapat na panagutan, dapat lamang pong maimbestigahan nang mabuti para mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga pamilya ng sinasabi nating ‘missing sabungeros.’”
When asked about the possibility of tapping “Alyas Totoy” as a state witness on the case, the Palace press briefer deferred such to the discretion of the DOJ.
On proposed bills in the 20th Congress
At the same press briefing, Castro also commented on the administration’s sentiments on some of the bills filed shortly after the opening of the 20th Congress, beginning with the reintroduction of the anti-political dynasty bill.
She said, “Mas maganda pong maibigay iyong pinakadetalye, dahil maaaring maganda ang maidulot nito sa ating bansa. Basta po, ang Pangulo naman ay para sa bansa at para sa mga lider din naman, mga opisyal na gusto rin namang maglingkod. So, dapat balanse ang lahat.”
When quizzed by reporters on the possibility of regulating internet usage among minors citing its relation to mental health issues, the Palace press briefer left such matters to the discretion of the Chief Executive, but reiterated President Marcos Jr. ‘s commitment towards protecting the Filipino youth.
Queries from the media about the proposed bills culminated in the discussion about the divorce bill, to which Castro declared that the President has yet to make a statement on the matter.
She declared, “Mas magandang [mapag-aralan ang nilalaman nito] dahil tandaan po natin, ang Simbahang Katoliko ay naniniwala na may mga pagkakataon na ang dalawang mag-asawa, kung hindi na po talaga kakayaning magsama, ay dapat na pong paghiwalayin; kaya po may tinatawag tayong mga church annulment.”
The Palace press briefer concluded, “Tingnan po natin muli kung ano ang magiging maganda para sa taumbayan. Mas maganda po sana, at iyon din po ang nais ng Pangulo, na mas paigtingin natin ang magandang pagsasama ng mag-asawa, mas palawigin natin na mas maresolba ng bawat mag-asawa ang kanilang problema para maayos ang kanilang pamilya, hindi lang para sa kanilang dalawa kundi para sa kanilang mga anak.”
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