Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Friday, November 14, said it would be better for former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co to return to the Philippines following his explosive claims against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Speaking during a press briefing, Castro addressed questions on whether the President is in “panic mode” due to fears of public outrage triggered by Co’s statements.
“Wala po akong nabalitaang ganiyan at kung sino po ang nagsabi niyan, muli, patunayan po niya,” Castro said.
She added that the President had engagements to attend, noting, “tayo po nga ay dapat papunta ng Intramuros at mayroon doong event.”
She dismissed any notion of panic within the administration, explaining that the briefing was held to clarify matters for the public.
“So wala pong panic mode tayong pinag-uusapan. Kailangan lang po natin na magkaroon ng press briefing ngayon para po maipaliwanag sa mga kababayan natin kung sino ba talaga ang nagsisinungaling,” she stated.
Castro went further, urging Co to come back to the Philippines along with other alleged fugitives.
“So Mr. Zaldy Co, mas maganda po, umuwi kayo dito. Kung maaari, sabayan n’yo narin po ‘yong ibang mga fugitive na nagtatago sa ibang bansa,” she said.
Co recently released a statement claiming that President Marcos ordered the insertion of ₱100 billion into the 2025 national budget.