Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro declared that her commitment to defending President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is strictly conditional, depending entirely on the Chief Executive remaining truthful and acting with integrity.
During an interview on veteran host Boy Abunda’s YouTube channel, Castro clarified that she would not compromise her principles to protect the administration from accountability.
“As long as we will be telling the truth. Hindi naman ako pwede magtanggol kung may ililihim tayo na mali,” she explained. “So, as long na alam ko ang ginagawa ng Pangulo ay tama, ipagtatanggol ko.”
When asked how she would handle a hypothetical situation involving presidential misconduct, Castro asserted that she would address the matter directly with the leader.
“I will tell him. That’s not correct. That’s wrong. Let’s make an action on that,” she said.
Castro confirmed she maintains an open line of communication with the President, noting that he encourages honest feedback over sycophancy.
“Nasasabihan ko po ang Pangulo. Nabibigyan ko po siya ng advice. Nasasabihan ko po at nakakapag-suggest po ako,” she said. “Kasi ang kailangan po ng Pangulo, hindi lang sipsip. Kailangan po niya ng mga taong magbibigay sa kanya ng tamang impormasyon.”
To illustrate the President’s willingness to listen, Castro recalled advising him to scrutinize a naturalization bill that had secured near-unanimous legislative support.
“Meron po akong isang example. Meron po isang naturalization na inihain. Halos lahat ng lawmakers ay aprobado. And then alam ko na mukhang medyo hindi magiging maganda yung sitwasyon,” she shared.
“So I told him, ‘Sir, kindly review this bill, this application for the naturalization pending before the Congress at isa-submit sa inyo. Just try to study that.’ And he did. He vetoed it.”
The official noted that the President’s caution was later vindicated.
“After three months or two months, that person was accused of kidnapping. So nakikinig po ang Pangulo,” she added.
The veto, which occurred in April 2025, involved House Bill No. 8839, which sought to grant citizenship to Li Duan Wang. The President’s decision was driven by national security concerns and reports linking Wang to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities.
Months later, Wang was implicated in the high-profile kidnapping and murder of steel magnate Anson Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.