Malacañang on Monday dismissed Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s scathing criticisms against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., branding his statements as nothing more than baseless political propaganda.
During a press briefing on May 25, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro strongly denied the mayor’s allegations, which were aired during a regional gathering of the Rage Coalition in Davao City on May 23.
The local chief executive had claimed that President Marcos lacked any real achievements and had allowed illegal drugs, crime, and corruption to resurface.
“Ang mga binabanggit ni Mayor Baste, alam po natin na ito ay walang katotohanan; ito ay pawang paninira lamang at iyan ang gusto niyang i-amplify sa kanyang mga kaalyado para palabasin na ang Pangulo ay walang ginagawa. Pero iyan po ay taliwas sa katotohanan,” (What Mayor Baste is mentioning, we know to be untrue; these are pure smear tactics that he wants to amplify with his allies to make it appear that the President is doing nothing. But that is contrary to the truth,) Castro said.
The Palace official took a swipe at the mayor, suggesting that those who frequently vacation outside the country are the ones blind to the chief executive’s work. Castro emphasized that Duterte’s rhetoric is a calculated attempt to mislead the electorate.
“Hindi natin sila masisisi kung sila’y bulag at bingi sa ginagawa ng Pangulo dahil siguro wala sila sa bansa. Pero iyan po kasi ang paulit-ulit na sinasabi nila at ng kanilang mga kaalyado upang lokohin ang taumbayan sa kanilang mga kasinungalingan na walang ginagawa ang ating Pangulo,” (We cannot blame them if they are blind and deaf to what the President is doing because perhaps they are out of the country. But that is exactly what they and their allies repeatedly say to deceive the public with their lies that our President is doing nothing,) she added.
Countering Drug and Corruption Claims
Castro firmly rejected assertions that the country’s illegal drug problem had worsened under the current administration, turning the tables on Duterte by questioning the state of narcotics in his own jurisdiction. Presenting a report on a recent ₱15.6-million shabu bust in Davao City, Castro cast doubt on the long-term efficacy of the previous administration’s drug war.
“Kaya nga po masugid ang ating gobyerno sa pagsawata ng mga iligal na droga. Kaya nga nagtataka po tayo, bakit po kaya napakadaming droga, illegal drugs na nahuhuli sa Davao City?” (That is why our government is aggressive in stopping illegal drugs. That is why we wonder, why are there so many illegal drugs being seized in Davao City?) Castro questioned.
“Katulad po nito, noong May 14, 2026, mayroon pong nahuli, nasabat na halagang ₱15.6 million shabu mismo sa Davao City operation. Hindi po ba sakop niya ito? Kaya nga po bakit sa Davao City ay may nahuhuli kung naging epektibo po iyong sinasabi nilang war on drugs?” (Just like this, last May 14, 2026, there was a seizure of ₱15.6 million worth of shabu right in a Davao City operation. Is this not under his jurisdiction? So why are there seizures in Davao City if what they call the war on drugs was effective?) she added.
Addressing the mayor’s allegations of corruption, the Palace mouthpiece maintained that the Marcos administration remains committed to accountability, dropping a veiled reference to an unnamed political figure.
“Ang isa po na umamin na korap at nagnakaw sa pondo ng bayan nasa The Hague na po,” (The one who admitted to being corrupt and stealing public funds is already in The Hague,) Castro remarked.
No ‘Undeclared Martial Law’
The Palace official also dispelled Duterte’s narrative that the Philippines is currently operating under an “undeclared martial law,” reassuring the public that civil liberties, press freedom, and freedom of expression remain fully protected under the current leadership.
When pressed on whether the President would continue to tolerate the Davao mayor’s relentless tirades, Castro indicated that the matter might shift to legal and law enforcement channels.
“NBI po, PNP, kung may nilalabag na batas, kung may kasinungalingang ibinibigkas para magulo ang bayan, sila na po ang dapat na mag-imbestiga rito,” (The NBI, the PNP, if there are laws being broken, if there are lies being spoken to destabilize the nation, they should be the ones to investigate this,) Castro concluded.