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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace to Murillo: File a case and prove your claims in court

Palace to Murillo: File a case and prove your claims in court

Published Jul 10, 2025 01:57 pm

At A Glance

  • Castro said that the judicial process is the proper venue to clarify Murillo's claims.
Malacañang urged former Senate witness Michael Murillo to back up his explosive allegations by filing a formal case to prove that he was indeed manipulated to testify against key figures of the Duterte camp.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM)
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro (RTVM)
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Vice President Sara Duterte urged Murillo to file charges after he claimed that he was coerced to testify against her, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and detained televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.
In a press briefing, the Palace official said it would be better for Murillo to heed the advice of the Vice President.
“It is better for him to file charges if there are issues regarding alleged fake witnesses,” she said on Thursday, July 10.
“Because through a case, through a trial, and through a cross-examination, we will know the truth,” she added.
Castro said that the judicial process is the proper venue to clarify Murillo’s claims.
“Tulad ng sinabi natin, ang trial importante para malaman ang katotohanan, kung may anomalya ba (As we’ve said, a trial is important to uncover the truth, if there are irregularities),” she said.
“So mas magandang makapag-file ng case si Michael Murillo para malaman kung siya ba ay nagsasabi ng totoo o hindi (So it’s better for Michael Murillo to file a case so we can find out whether he’s telling the truth or not),” she added.
Murillo recently recanted his previous testimony before the Senate, alleging he was coached into giving false statements. He also claimed that fake witnesses were being prepared to testify against former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Asked whether this merits a government investigation, Castro reiterated that it hinges on whether Murillo takes legal action.
“If this Michael Murillo will not file any case, [then] there’s no issue,” she said.
As for any possible impact on the ICC probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war, Castro distanced the Marcos administration from the ICC proceedings.
“We don’t have any hand on the case pending before the ICC. So bahala na po sila doon (So it’s up to them to deal with it),” she said.

Related Tags

Claire Castro Senate witness Michael Murillo
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