Malacañang has pushed back against accusations from Kabataan Partylist that President Marcos is a “puppet” of big corporations, urging the group to focus instead on legislative work—particularly on crafting a law to regulate oil prices.

“Sana medyo maliwanagan po ang Kabataan Partylist kung ano po ba talaga ang ginagawa ng Pangulo (I hope the Kabataan Partylist becomes more enlightened about what the President is actually doing),” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a press briefing on Thursday, June 26.

Castro also responded to the group’s allegation that President Marcos has allowed the prices of oil to increase. She cited the explanation of Department of Energy OIC Undersecretary Sharon Garin that prices are dictated by global market forces under the current Oil Deregulation Law.

With this, the Palace Press Officer urged Kabataan Partylist to propose oil pricing reforms instead of just criticizing the administration.

“Kung nais po talaga na madiktahan ang presyo ng krudo, mas maganda pong gumawa na agad ng batas at magbalangkas na rin ang Kabataan Partylist patungkol po dito (If they really want to control oil prices, it would be better for Kabataan Partylist to start drafting a law on this matter),” she said.

“Para kung meron na pong batas, ay mai-implement at mae-enforce po ng Executive Department (Once there’s a law, then the Executive Department can implement and enforce it),” she added.

Castro also reminded the partylist group that the proposed P200 across-the-board wage hike bill lies squarely with Congress after it accused Marcos of being a puppet of big corporations.

“Kung ito pong hinihiling nila ay 200-peso wage hike, ‘yan po ay nasa Kongreso (If what they are asking is a 200-peso wage hike, that lies with Congress),” she said.

“Kung hindi po nagkakaayos sa ngayon ang House of Representatives at Senado, hindi po pwedeng basta magdikta ang Pangulo (If the House and Senate cannot agree at the moment, the President cannot just dictate),” she added.

The Palace official said the President is mindful of his constitutional role.

“Hindi po ba ayaw natin ng lider na diktador, ayaw natin ng lider na ‘di nag-iisip, ayaw din natin ng lider na puppet lang, at ayaw din natin ng lider na nagbabakasyon lang (Don’t we all agree that we don’t want a dictator, a mindless leader, a puppet, or one who’s always on vacation)?” she asked.

Castro clarified that President Marcos is not against wage increases and has consistently supported efforts through the proper legal channels.

“Hindi humahadlang ang Pangulo sa pagtaas ng sahod. Makikita po nila yan sa record ng Regional Tripartite Wage Board natin (The President does not block wage hikes. That can be seen in the records of our Regional Tripartite Wage Boards),” she said.

“Taun-taon po, ‘yan po ang hiling ng Pangulo—na magkaroon po ng pagtaas ng sweldo (Every year, the President calls for salary increases),” she added.