President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has chosen not to directly confirm or deny recent revelations made by his son, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, regarding the breakdown of the UniTeam political alliance, but affirmed that his son is truthful.
Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, August 10, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Chief Executive decided against issuing an official statement regarding the lawmaker’s remarks.
In his statement, Representative Marcos disclosed that three figures from the previous administration sought control over key leadership positions in government while the President was seeking endorsement ahead of the 2022 national elections.
”Actually tinanong ko rin mismo si Pangulo, kanina. At ang sabi lamang sa me ay, he has raised his kids well, and his son, Cong Sandro, will not lie. Yun lang po ang binigay na mensahe ng Pangulo,” Castro shared.
In a recent broadcast interview, the younger Marcos stated that he had foreseen the eventual breakup of the UniTeam—the electoral partnership formed between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
He explained that during a visit to Malacañang to request support from former President Rodrigo Duterte, certain individuals presented heavy conditions, including the authority to name the Executive Secretary, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President.
While Representative Marcos declined to disclose the names of the individuals involved, he mentioned that one remains an active public official. Malacañang similarly refrained from naming any personalities out of respect for the lawmaker’s decision.
”Kahit siguro mabanggit, since ang sinabi naman po ni Congressman Sandro Marcos, ay hindi na po niya babanggitin ang mga identity nito. Igagalang po natin na manatiling kung ano na lang po niya sinabi ni Congressman Sandro,” Castro stated.
Beyond the hefty demands, the House Majority Leader indicated that an internal struggle for political leverage contributed to the alliance’s fracturing.
Castro affirmed this view, noting that the representative spoke based on his direct observations during the meeting. She added that the conditions were likely turned down because they clashed with public interest and proper fiscal management.
”Kaya hindi napagbigyan siguro ng ibang mga kahilingan, kaya sinasabi namin may power struggles, dahil may mga grupo na gustong manatili na posisyon at hawakan at kontrolin ang Pangulo at hindi iyon pinayagan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Castro explained.
Addressing the potential motives behind the alleged demands, Castro clarified that while she could not speak directly for the President, the Presidential Communications Office believes the maneuver was intended to weaken or unseat the administration.
”Ang nakikita ng PCO dito, power struggle, kontrolin ang Pangulo, maybe, the plan to remove the President like what happened before. That’s the opinion of PCO, not the President’s,” Castro concluded.