Contrary to former president Rodrigo Duterte's claim that crime remains rampant under the current administration, Malacañang said there was a decline in crime recorded in the country since President Marcos assumed the post.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said this after the former president made such a claim in a Senate hearing on Monday, Oct. 28.

"With due respect to former president Rodrigo Duterte— there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the country," he said in a statement.

"Statistics from the Philippine National Police (PNP) shows the complete opposite. There has been a widespread decline in crime across the board," he added.

According to the former Chief Justice, the Marcos administration has achieved stability and maintained peace and order in the country without foregoing due process nor setting aside the basic human rights of any Filipino.

"All of this shows that our country is safer, our people more secure, and our future more assured than ever before under the stewardship of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr," Bersamin said.

Meanwhile, the Palace official said the recent drug raid in San Miguel, Manila that Duterte cited in the hearing was "based on outdated information."

"In that case, one suspect was arrested, drug paraphernalia was seized, and his partner is now being pursued by law enforcement," Bersamin said.

Last week, Malacañang renewed its vow to cleanse the country of illegal drugs as it lauded law enforcers for the arrest of a suspected drug trader near the Malacañan compound early this month.

"Let it be known: no corner of this land, no matter how remote or concealed, will serve as a refuge for the producers and distributors of these lethal substances," Bersamin said.

"The full, unforgiving weight of the law will always descend upon them," he added.