Malacañang on Wednesday dismissed renewed allegations linking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to supposed deliveries of cash-filled suitcases as a “lousy script,” insisting that law enforcement agencies should address the spread of false information.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro rejected claims by lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 former marines, which alleged that Marcos orchestrated deliveries of “maleta” containing money to his residence and that of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
“Paulit-ulit na kasinungalingan laban sa Pangulo. Lousy script. Hindi pang-award-winning. Hindi malinis, alam mo na may kasinungalingan,” Castro said during a press briefing.
She hinted at a coordinated effort behind the allegations and suggested that authorities investigate who arranged transportation for the former marines following their press conference
“Sino ba ang nasa likod nito, siguro dapat malaman ninyo, kung sino ba iyong may-ari ng sasakyan na siyang sumundo sa kanila matapos ang press briefing or presscon nila… I believe, hindi kayo magugulat, same people,” Castro added.
Castro stressed that Malacañang does not need to instruct law enforcement to act, emphasizing that agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are obligated to pursue those spreading fake news.
“Nandiyan ang NBI, nandiyan ang PNP dapat malaman nila ito, obligasyon nila na kasuhan ang mga nagpapakalat ng fake news, dapat pa ba silang utusan? Hindi po, obligasyon ng NBI, PNP, DOJ,” she said.
The Palace has consistently denied claims tying the President to illegal activities and cautioned that such disinformation is intended to undermine the administration.