Malacañang on Thursday defended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. from what it described as Vice President Sara Duterte’s “fake news” attacks, aimed at discrediting the President.
“Lahat ng kwento niya ay para siraan ang pangulo dahil nais niyang pababain ito sa puwesto at siya ang maging pangulo," Castro said in a statement.
"Makasariling hangarin,” she said pertaining to Duterte's allegations.
Castro said the public has already seen how Marcos works, stressing that he is not like others who often arrive late to official functions.
"Mahirap nang paniwalaan ang mga kwento ng madalas na nagiging source ng fake news. Nakita na natin magtrabaho ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. na maagang gumigising para sa mga events at sa mga meetings," she emphasized.
"Ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. ay hindi tulad ng iba na tanghali nang gumigising kaya laging napupuyat ang mga taga-media para lang mag-cover. Hindi siya tulad ng iba na 4:53 PM darating sa venue para sa SONA kahit na 4 PM dapat ang SONA,” she added.
She further pointed to Duterte as the source of several false claims in the past.
“Tandaan natin na sa kanya galing ang fake news about altered Beverly Hills police report, nagsalita rin siya tungkol polvoron video na peke rin pala at marami pang iba,” Castro stated.
Castro said there was no truth to Duterte’s stories against President Marcos Jr., adding that it was easy for them to create narratives.
"Walang katotohanan ang mga kwento niyang ito laban kay Pangulong Marcos Jr. Madali sa kanilang gumawa ng kwento at propaganda lalo pa at inamin ng dating Pangulong Duterte na expert siya sa pagplanta ng ebidensya at paggawa ng intriga," Castro explained.
The Palace official also questioned Duterte’s performance as Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary, emphasizing that she admitted lacking expertise in curriculum development and failed to distribute 1.5 million gadgets and materials procured as early as 2020.
Castro noted that the problem was only resolved under new DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, who also uncovered the alleged ₱100 million ghost students and fake voucher scheme during Duterte’s tenure.
Duterte, however, rejected the Palace's remarks that she is a "complete failure" as a DepEd chief and claimed it was Marcos himself who asked her to stay on as secretary.
Moreover, the Vice President alleged that the President was under the influence of alcohol when he accepted her resignation.
