Malacañang on Monday brushed aside the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE), a coalition of allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains focused on governance and will not be drawn into early political maneuvering.
In a statement, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that the President is concentrating on administering the country rather than engaging in campaign-style politics.
“Ang Pangulo po ay hindi namumulitika, ang Pangulo po ay nagtatrabaho,” Castro said, dismissing both opposition criticism and the emerging alliance as distractions.
RAGE, spearheaded by Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, gathered key Duterte supporters and other political figures, presenting itself as a coalition pushing for accountability and reforms.
Malacañang, however, signaled that the development will not alter the President’s priorities.
“Hindi na po iyan papansinin ng Pangulo… tutok na bigyang solusyon ang nararanasan natin,” Castro said, underscoring that Marcos is focused on addressing pressing national concerns, particularly the impact of the Middle East crisis on fuel prices.
Castro also rejected claims from the Makabayan bloc that the government’s response to rising costs is inadequate, calling the criticism “a big lie.”
She said the administration has rolled out measures to cushion the public, including fuel subsidies, transport support, and targeted assistance.