Malacañang has firmly denied allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed to step down in 2025 to allow Vice President Sara Duterte to assume the presidency, stressing that the Chief Executive remains committed to completing his six-year term.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement in a press briefing on Wednesday, following testimony by Ramil Madriaga before the House Committee on Justice.
Madriaga alleged that a 2021 agreement existed between the Marcos and Duterte camps, and further claimed that former President Rodrigo Duterte and retired military generals had plotted to remove Marcos from office, including an assassination plan.
Castro said the President was surprised by the accusations and categorically denied any knowledge of such a deal.
“Sa ngayon po ay aalamin natin ang buong katotohanan dito. Pero ang buong pinag-usapan ni Mr. Ramil Madriaga at ng dating Pangulong Duterte ay wala po tayong personal na kaalaman, kahit na ang Pangulo,” she stated.
She emphasized that Marcos did not campaign for the presidency with the intention of relinquishing it to anyone, reiterating his pledge to serve the nation until the end of his term.
“Hindi na nga po na bago ito, ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo. Sinimulan na nga po ito ng Bise Presidente, nadinig na rin po natin si Mayor Baste Duterte. So hindi na po kailangang mag-utos ng Pangulo para imbestigahan ito,” Castro added.
Malacañang clarified that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has the mandate to look into the alleged threats against the President’s life, underscoring that such matters are taken seriously and investigated accordingly.