The arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte was not meant to divert the public's attention from issues surrounding the 2025 national budget, Malacañang said.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro dismissed the allegations made by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte on the Marcos administration's supposed motive in allowing the arrest of his father.

"Hindi po ito diversionary tactic, okay (This is not a diversionary tactic, okay)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, March 19.

"So, walang diversionary tactic dito. Diversionary issues na pag-uusapan, bakit? Nangyayari lamang po, e, ito po ay nangyayari, day-by-day may nangyayaring new. So, hindi po diversionary tactic ito (So, there is no diversionary tactic here. Diversionary tactics on issues, why? These are all happening, day-by-day there is something new happening. So, his is not a diversionary tactic)," Castro added.

She pointed out that if the former president's arrest was a diversionary scheme, then the issues surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential fund were also among the news supposedly overshadowed by the arrest of Duterte.

"Ang hindi na nga po napag-uusapan ngayon ay iyong tungkol sa confidential funds. Buti nga po at lumabas nga rin pong muli itong mga sinasabing mga fake na receipts dahil mukhang makakalimutan na ng mga tao kung nasaan na nga ba iyong mga confidential funds na ipinagkatiwala mismo kay Vice President VP Sara (What we are no longer talking about is the confidential funds. Good thing the fake receipts were bared because it seems like the people have forgotten where the confidential funds entrusted to VP Sara went)," the Palace official said.

Castro also stressed that the Marcos administration can easily explain the questions on the national budget, particularly the issues on PhilHealth.

Duterte not singled out

The Palace press officer also shrugged off the Davao mayor's claims that their family was being singled out by the Marcos administration, following their father's arrest.

"Kapag ba sini-single out ibig po ba sabihin gusto niya mas marami pa ang madamay? Tandaan po natin, sa warrant of arrest ang dating pangulong Duterte ay dinescribe [describe] bilang indirect co-perpetrator (So, by saying they are being singled out, does he mean more people must also be arrested? Let us remember that former president Duterte was described on the warrant of arrest as indirect co-perpetrator)," Castro said.

"So, ang nais niya po ay dapat hindi lang ang ama niya ang maaresto dahil may mga diumano pang kasabwat (So, does he meant his father was not the only one who must be arrested because he had other accomplices)," Castro argued.

Castro reiterated that the case against Duterte was not filed during the current administration.